I recently watched the new Christmas Story movie that came out last month, and it was good. Some of what the character Ralphie Parker went through in the new movie I could relate to. In the movie his father suddenly passed away on December 19th, while my own father had suddenly passed away on December 18th (2006), and I know what it feels like to carry on the family holiday traditions without your father suddenly. Ralphie was a bit luckier than I was though, at least he made it into his forties before experiencing such a loss, I was 22. No siblings to help me either, and just like that the rest of the family expected me to fill my father's shoes.

Looking back on it, my dad made the holiday preparations look too easy, don't know how he did it and kept his sanity. I take it he must have knocked-back quite a few Stingers back then. Think I could use a few Stingers myself this time of the year...