My brother has wonderful neighbors.  I do to, don’t get me wrong, but his neighbors are a close knit group of folks who really enjoy each others company.  Each year as they have for many many years, (if I recall correctly well over 25) they have the Na Wa Ta No-brainer Christmas Party. 

In the beginning it started with neighbors getting together and caroling with their families door to door; hot chocolate for the kids, something a little stronger for the adults.  As the kids grew up and the parents got older they moved it indoors.

Each year the party moves from one home to another, with the “host” home providing a spiral sliced ham or some other main dish and the rest of the neighbors bringing a signature dish or drink.  Potato pancakes are made by the Scandanavian neighbors, the Judge makes his famous eggnog, my brother (a bachelor) brings cut and bake chocolate chip cookies every year! 

The only pre requisite to being a host, it seems, is that you must have a piano.  Every year they break out the pre-printed Christmas Carol packet and the bells, reindeer antlers and other music makers for the kids and everyone sings Christmas carols accompanied by those accomplished, talented, piano players.

My family and I have had the pleasure to be included in these parties over the years that my brother has lived on Na Wa Ta.  It’s so nice to get together with such a wonderful group of people.  Over the years we have met new neighbors, watched children grow into adulthood , celebrated births, reminisced about loved ones lost, and enjoyed catching up with friends and neighbors.

I look forward to joining my brother again this year with my own family.  This may just be the type of community gathering that might work on my block. If I bring it up though, I’d better get a piano.