It’s the holiday season, so I’d like to share a Christmas story with you. As many of you know, my father is Chinese and my late-mother was an American (from Bethune, South Carolina). With this “mixed marriage”, there’s bound to be some cultural clashes in the household where I grew up.  Here’s a short story about one of those clashes that haunted me for years.

When my father emigrated to the U.S. in 1948, he traveled directly to Waco, Texas and lived with a host family while he was attending Baylor University (seeking his Master’s degree).  He had never experienced Christmas, and didn’t really understand the significance of it. But the faithful family he was living with adamantly held the holiday spirit, complete with a Christmas tree, lights on their home, presents under the tree, and a lunch meal on Christmas day. On that special day, the family was excited not only about Christmas but the arrival of their son–who was traveling home that day from abroad where he was fulfilling his military duties.  To share the Christmas celebration, the family decided not to open any presents or eat lunch until after their son arrived safely home. He arrived that day in the early afternoon, so the family ate around 1pm and opened their presents at 3pm. It was an amazing reunion, but not without consequences….

Since it was my father’s first Christmas, he assumed that is how all Americans celebrated Christmas.  So when I was growing up, every year on December 25th we’d eat lunch at 1pm, and open presents at 3pm. I recall as a young boy so many times on Christmas morning when friends of mine would be riding their new bikes, playing catch with their new footballs, and wearing new clothes, they’d ask me, “Alan, what’d you get for Christmas?” and my reply would always be the same, “I don’t know! I’ll tell you later.” Strangely enough, I’ve spent over 50 consecutive Christmases with my father and every year has been the same frustration–especially for my children (having to endure the same delays I had to when I was a child).

We’ve done it for so many years, that we’ve adopted the late lunch and late opening of presents as our family tradition.  Considering my father is 88 years old, I wouldn’t have it any other way….

Happy Holidays and thanks for your support of the School of Business!