Friends And Traditions

Day 59: For a number of years now, my fishing partner and his wife have invited me to lunch with them at Watson's Nursery as one of our Christmas traditions. These wonderful folk have taken me into the bosom of their family, old enough to be my parents and often referring to me as their "third daughter." They share their holidays and birthdays with me as if I were blood kin. A friendship such as theirs is hard to find in these times, and is treasured beyond words.

Today was Watson's day. It is not a scheduled event with us, except to occur some time in December after the nursery has exchanged its standard boutique fare for decorated Christmas trees by the dozen, each unique and elaborate. Festive poinsettias and abundantly blooming Christmas cacti fill shelves which otherwise would hold mundane ferns and ficuses, pepperomias and pothos. The gift section is packed with glitter and sparkle, candles, decorations and even fine hand-crafted wooden furniture. Outdoors, hardy cyclamen in many shades of red, pink and white blanket tables beside wreaths and swags and potted evergreens, and of course holly sprays abound.

Lunch means dining at the in-store deli which produces its own exquisite quiche lorraine as well as a variety of sandwiches and soups. Espresso, that stereotypical Pacific Northwestern beverage, is also available in assorted flavors and strengths. The three of us shared quiche and coffee today, and browsed for an hour and a half, delighting in each other's companionship, happy in this personal tradition of the holiday season.