Ahhh, Christmas time is upon us, and with it comes warm memories of my boys and of trips to see Santa, school pageants, Christmas parades, decorating the tree, baking cookies, and . . . “Tremors”. Yes, “Tremors”, the movie. You know the one . . . with Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, and some really, really big man-eating worms (dubbed ‘graboids’ by one of the characters in the movie).
Yes, I’ll admit, I get a little misty-eyed thinking of “Tremors”. You see, for a long time, that movie was a part of our family holiday traditions. Starting when our sons were young, my husband and I used to schedule a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee every first weekend of December to see the Gatlinburg Christmas Parade. Held on the first Friday night in December, it’s a beautiful, small town parade with lighted floats, marching bands, holiday music, and plenty of good cheer. We’d reserve a motel room right downtown in the middle of the action, so we could slip in and out of our room to warm up if need be, or to grab a quick cup of hot cocoa to keep us warm. On Saturday evening, we always went to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge to see their Christmas lights and special holiday shows. Dollywood is a beautiful place, and a sight to behold at Christmas time. Every tree, shrub, and building is opulently adorned and strung with thousands of lights, giving it a magical, fairy-land effect. On Sunday, we’d have a hearty breakfast at our favorite pancake house, then head to the outlet malls in Pigeon Forge to do a little Christmas shopping before going home.
So, where does “Tremors” fit into all of this Christmas magic, you may be wondering? Well, for some odd reason, it never ever failed that “Tremors” wasn’t on the motel TV sometime during those December holiday get-aways. And we watched it together every single time year. In fact, it became a running joke, to try to find out when “Tremors” was going to be on so we wouldn’t miss it. And sure enough, we’d find out it was on, and we’d sit and watch it together as a family, laughing our heads off the whole time. (After you watch it the first time, it goes from being a little scary to being hilariously tongue-in-cheek funny.) After a few viewings, we could even quote the dialog as it was coming up, making for even more laughter.
Now the years have flown, the boys have became men, the husband became an ex-husband, and our lives have all changed in many ways. But I still have my memories, and as any parent can tell you, you cherish those memories more and more as the years pass. They, and I, have new holiday traditions and routines, as it should be. The boys come to see me on Christmas day before heading over to their Dad’s family get-together. I usually cook brunch for them, which is sure to include orange Danish rolls (another Christmas morning tradition). After they leave, it gets quiet at my house, and I’ll sit and flip through the TV channels. Holiday shows and movies are easy to find, and I love watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “A Christmas Story”, if I can find them. But, if I should so happen to run across “Tremors”, I pass it by. You see, I haven’t tried watching it by myself yet, and I honestly don’t think I’d enjoy it very much. Some things are meant to be shared, and in my world, “Tremors” is one of those things. I’ve got my memories of it, and it makes me smile (and giggle a little bit) when I think of it, and I think I’d just like to keep it that way….tucked safely away with all those other memories I cherish.
“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” ~ Luke 2:19
