Holiday Traditions

Ninety-six... ninety-seven... ninety-eight... ninety-nine...

We looked at each other hopefully across the table as the last stragglers lined up at the Cafeteria door. ONE MORE!! we seemed to be saying to each other telepathically as we struggled not to laugh out loud. I wouldn't have been surprised to see confused looks on the faces of those in line, wondering what was making us feel so amused.

I've written before about the holiday breakfasts/luncheons that we in the Office of Communications help set up and run every year. But sometimes some of the little things don't make it into the blogs, like the fact that when we are handing out raffle tickets, a great many of the people we give tickets to invariably give us the same exhortation: "I hope you gave me the lucky ticket!"

It's like that classic scene from The Simpsons' homage to Cape Fear, when Sideshow Bob gets out from under the car and starts stepping on rakes. The scene goes on for a full thirty seconds, with Bob stepping on rake after rake after rake, always grumbling the same irritated grumble after getting smacked in the face by the handle. It is initially funny, then a little wearisome, and then it becomes funny again because it has gone on for so long.

Our holiday events at Midwestern University are replete with these little moments like this that are looked for and enjoyed (and missed if they don't happen). In other words, they have become traditions. From the "lucky ticket" question to Dr. Lori Kemper's turkey gobble to the laughing exasperation when a neighboring table seems to be the "lucky table" during the raffle, it's as much a part of the fabric of the annual event as the food and the prizes. It's all hugely entertaining, whether it is the song of a department substituting Podiatry-related lyrics to "Put One Foot In Front Of The Other" from Santa Claus is Coming to Town or the chorale of good-naturedly disappointed voices when the iPad goes to someone else.

(Let us also not forget the preternatural talent shown by Allen Gilley of Maintenance, a sweet-natured, big-hearted guy who somehow, some way, wins something at every holiday raffle. I'm not even joking. The guy should be buying me lottery tickets. People ask to sit at his table hoping that his luck will rub off on them.)

The holiday season is rife with traditions that I always look forward to, from the collection of "must-see" movies (It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Elf, and, of course, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation for when the kids are in bed) to the customs of family and friends. These little moments at the Midwestern University holiday get-togethers have quickly become eagerly-anticipated members of my ritual pantheon.

Sure, it's hard work putting these events together, but when they're over you can't wait until they happen again.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention - we did break 100 in the ticket line thanks to a couple of late arrivals. Mission accomplished.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!