Growing up, the holiday season meant Mom and us kids would pile into the minivan and make the trip from southeast Texas to the south Dallas suburb of Desoto. I could still take you to almost every gas station we ever stopped at along the way. When Mom hit the exit ramp from I-20 to I-35, I knew in just a few minutes we would arrive. I was fortunate that not only did Mom's parents live in Desoto, but Dad's parents did as well. Which set of grandparents we stayed with would depend on which other family was in town for the holidays. We would usually be back and forth down Belt Line Road between both houses most days. Whether at Thanksgiving or Christmas, Dad would join us later in the week as he stayed behind to take care of things at church before making the trip north.
At Mom's parents, we would play games together, usually 42 or Spades. Chickenfoot, Phase 10, Canasta, or the Game of Life were other popular game choices as well. I'd spend some time "playing" the piano or "driving" cars around imaginary tracks on the area rug. If I needed a break from the crowd, I'd head outside to one of the swings or maybe to climb the tree at the corner of the driveway in the front yard.
At Dad's parents, we would play games togeter as well, usually Scrabble or Monopoly. We would watch the parades and then the Dallas Cowboys game each Thanksgiving afternoon. Us kids would spend time creating silly home videos and then show them off to everyone. I'd spend some time hitting plastic golf balls back and forth in the backyard into homemade holes while watching for raccoons or other wildlife in the alley and field behind the house.
As I got older, I took Driver's Education in Desoto. I-35 was a bit different than the log truck filled highways of southeast Texas where I had lived most of my childhood. I took my SAT test at Desoto High School. In more recent years, I attended numerous Desoto football games and cheered them on to a state championship in 2016. Desoto was my second home.
It's been a few years now since my last holiday season was spent in Desoto. My last grandparent passed away in the summer of 2017. The following year, in the spring of 2018, Mom would pass away. Needless to say, the holiday season is a bit different now then it once was as a child. Though things are different, my heart holds on to the memories of my time spent in Desoto, the memories of my time spent with family. For that I am thankful.
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