Cheers

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1964. Happy New Year from the years and the occasions on the Amber Reunion timeline.

A Serious Toast

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1969. Everyone gathers in Donna's living room to hear our enclave's patriarch deliver the toast.

My friend Kris—Donna's daughter—and I have noisemakers in our mouths.

Keep it simple.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, December 31, 1957 (or 1958). My Dad's twin sister, Jonė, and her husband, Kadis, host a small party at their home. A photo of my paternal Grandfather, Vytautas, hangs on the wall.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

The best part about those parties was the dancing.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1965. The basement floor is perfect for a spin.

Quiet-Drive Reunion

Verona, Wisconsin, December 2013. You won't compete with much traffic here.

The glasses are ready.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1969. My Mom's best friend, Donna, and another woman chat with my paternal Grandmother, Tatjana.

I felt almost grown up.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1964. Vytenis, the husband of my Mom's best friend, Donna, takes me for a spin.

We can dance even if there aren't many boys.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, January 1958. My Toronto Cousin entertains friends. Go here if you're wondering why there is a dresser in the dining room.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Winter Recreation

Thatcher Woods, Suburban Chicago, February 1966. Another group sleds on the Des Plaines River.

A Sunday Encounter

Brookfield Zoo, January 1970. The hat I'm wearing was a Christmas gift. It was very fashionable. Two faux-fur pom poms dangled from the bottom of its ties.

Party Table

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1965. The Lithuanians from our suburban enclave gather for another New Year's celebration.

Babysitting

Kaunas, Lithuania, 1943. My Dad's twin sister, Jonė, and a friend look after a little one.

Antelope Reunion

Eastern Montana or Western North Dakota, 1970. Dad snapped a couple of shots as the Pronghorn scampered away.

Pucker up.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1969. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, dances at a New Year's Eve party hosted by Donna and Vytenis.

Find a quiet spot.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, December 31, 1959. A doll wearing a folkdress keeps Kadis company during a New Year's Eve party.

Traveling Companion

Door County, Wisconsin, December 1976. Mom and Dad have spent a winter weekend at the cottage, and it's time to head home in Dad's Buick Skylark.

Pack Reunion

Brookfield Zoo, January 1970. It was not uncommon for zoos to keep wolves.

Baking Lesson

*     *     *     *     *

Suburban Chicago, April 1974. My Dad's paternal Aunt, Victoria, and I make a Mazurka.

Related by Marriage: There's still time to enjoy the tree.

Suburban Chicago, December 1958. Mr. Irene's Dad has taken some time off during the holidays.

Don't forget the shades.

Kaunas, Lithuania, 1936. Kaunas Nina could use some sunglasses.

Exploration, in Three Takes

*     *     *     *     *

*     *     *     *     *

Door County, Wisconsin, December 1975. It's easy to spot Gigi when she's wearing her red coat.

Pop in on your way to the party.

Suburban Chicago, December 31, 1965. My beloved Godmother and her husband stop by our home on their way to a New Year's Eve party.

Early Winter Walk

Near Kaunas, Lithuania, about 1943. My Dad snapped this photo of a friend.

Now, enjoy the gifts.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, December 1956. My Toronto Cousin likes the doll.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Christmas Whites

Verona, Wisconsin, December 2013. Things look seasonal around here.

A Quiet Day

Suburban Chicago, December 1968. Mom relaxes by practicing the piano.

Related by Marriage: A Lucky Dog

 
Verona, Wisconsin, December 24, 2013. Baci helps Mr. Irene's Parents start the Kūčios meal.

(Mr. Irene's Dad enjoys a Švyturys beer.)

It's Christmas Day; be merry.

Suburban Chicago, December 25, 1964. The adults share a joke; the youngsters are in the kitchen, at the children's table.

This Year's Table for Kūčios

Verona, Wisconsin, December 24, 2013. Our Kūčios table is set with twelve dishes. We don't vary the menu too much from year to year.

We are ready to gather at the table.

Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1965. The family is ready to celebrate Kūčios.

Bring familiar customs to strange places.

Lübeck, Germany, about 1946. Residents at the DP camp's Žirgynas gather for the Kūčios meal.

 
Toronto Al's Dad, Vladas, is the fellow without the jacket, standing to the left of the tree. Thanks to Toronto Al for making this photo available to us.

We celebrate Kūčios together.

Mariampolis, Lithuania, December 24, 1936. I posted this photo earlier here, but it's the one that comes to mind for me on Christmas Eve. We'll be sharing the Kūčios meal later tonight.

Snow Scene

Verona, Wisconsin, December 21, 2013. The cows are happy to be out in the snow.

A wig once seemed like a reasonable gift.

Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1969. Mom seems happy with the fashionable gift.

Gift time nears.

Suburban Chicago, December 1963. The Christmas play has ended, and the beloved pastor arrives to assist the teacher with the gift distribution.

Christmas Manners: Patience will be rewarded.

Toronto, Ontario, December 1960. My Toronto Cousin appreciates the tree.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

The underground press ...

in Soviet-occupied Lithuania.

We've cleared the driveway.

Suburban Chicago, April 1970. Dad's Volvo is in the driveway.

A Holiday Spot

Melrose Park, Illinois, December 1960. It's time again to visit the Nativity at Amling's Flowerland.

Identification

Kaunas, Lithuania, about 1938. This is one photo Mom used for her internal passport.

The family gathers

Toronto, Ontario, December 24, probably 1950. Toronto Al's Mom (on the right, wearing the headscarf) celebrates Kūčios with her family.

Thanks to Toronto Al for making this photo available to us.

Roadside Reunion

Verona, Wisconsin, December 21, 2013. You don't have to go far to see beauty.

Christmas Manners: Don't get too ambitious with the cookie baking.

Suburban Chicago, December 1970. It seems like a good idea, but it can become tedious.

A Disney Moment

Service dog meets Pluto.

A Melancholy Thought

Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1965. My Dad's twin sister, Jonė, and her family visit us for the holidays. Dad captures Jonė's "melancholy eyes."

Bright

Kaunas, Lithuania, 1936. My Dad's older cousin, Henry, is out with his daughter, Kaunas Nina.

Incorporation

Pagan traditions inflect Lithuanian Christmas celebrations. It's customary, for example, to serve twelve dishes at the Kūčios table. I grew up thinking each dish represented one of the apostles. It's just as likely the twelve dishes symbolize the months of the year.

Lithuania was the last European country to convert to Christianity. The incorporation of pagan customs into the new faith made the Christian rituals seem familiar.

Take advantage of winter weather.

Door County, Wisconsin, March 1978. It's easy to glide on the frozen shoreline.

Related by Marriage: The garage is in the back.

Marquette Park, Chicago, December 1958. Mr. Irene's maternal Grandparents, Anna and Stanley, step onto the back porch as they prepare to leave for church.

The joy of a gift.

Toronto, Ontario, December 24, 1961. Toronto Al got exactly what he wanted.

Thanks to Toronto Al for making this photo available to us.