Our Story: Telling the Rest of the In-Laws

The tradition on Christmas Eve at the Sharich house was that the entire clan got together in the basement of the Grandparents’ house for a spaghetti and meatballs dinner (Grandma’s specialty) and gift exchange. I had the famed spaghetti and meatballs once before and they were delicious. We had actually asked for some to take home. But tonight, this meal did not sound appetizing. Maybe they’d have some plain dinner rolls.

It was quite a dinner spread with veggie trays, cocktail weenies and sauce, soda pop of every variety, cheese and crackers and the like. I tried not to call attention to myself. I took a bottled water, four olives, a few carrot sticks and some crackers. I got strange looks from Grandma and the Aunts. I told everyone that this was just my appetizer plate and that I’d be back for more. Little white lie.

There were 25-30 adults in the room and several young children. Grandpa seemed to avoid the small children while still watching their every move: every bang of a toy on his coffee table, every grubby little hand dipping into the bowls of mixed nuts and hard candy. He seemed none too pleased with the pitter patter of little feet. Noted. Yet, Grandma lovingly patted heads and talked to the little ones in a sweet voice. I minded my P's and Q's not knowing much about this family and their dynamics.

After a few hours of eating, chatting and a gift exchange game that went on forever, it was time for the ‘other’ last present. Ryan again turned the camera to the video setting.

“Grandma, we have one last present for you. Open this one first.” There were stirs and chatter and whispers. These people seemed to get it. Grandma had that “I’m on to you” look in her eyes. She sat down graciously and opened the first gift. The “oops picture” strikes again. A newly married cousin of Ryan’s was sitting next to Grandma and the couple started to whisper to each other. Grandma wanted verbal confirmation. “What does that mean?”

Ryan decided to let the next picture do the talking. He handed the framed and wrapped ultrasound picture to Grandma. She was surprised that there was more. “Now open this one.” As Grandma unwrapped the second gift, she saw it was an ultrasound and that seemed to be all the confirmation she needed. She asked, “When?” Ryan replied, “August.” The whole room started to mumble and whisper. I couldn’t help but smile.

Grandpa sat next to her not saying much. He’d been a mechanic for years, owned his own gas station, and made his own way. He wasn’t much for celebrating, except for maybe a good golf game on television or owning a winning hot rod in a car show. Grandma was happy and stared at the two black dots unknowingly. Her mechanic husband piped up, “Well, that’s twins!” I was shocked. How the hell did he know that? A cousin exclaimed, “Listen to Dr. Sharich over there!” The whole group laughed. Grandma was going to be a Great-Grandma, and not only one, but two babies were on their way. Most of the women, including myself, were wiping away tears.

The rest of the evening was full of laughter and fun. I was exhausted. I fell asleep on the car ride home.


Here is the video Ryan took of this event.