Christmas Eve in the 80's

The Joy of that Christmas was one I will carry in my heart forever. Between helping little Sal chop down his first Christmas Tree and hand sewing a sequin Christmas Stocking for my Johnny Angel I was filled with the Christmas spirit. It was the first Christmas where I gave and did not look to receive. I was happy to see the smiles on their faces when they opened their gifts. I had grown up and didn’t even realize it. So many new and different emotions, how do you pick which you want to keep and which you want to throw away?
Christmas Eve was so nice at the bar back then. We would all meet after doing the “family” thing. Many replaced the midnight mass with the bar get-together. All the employee’s and Hank and Oe would share a toast and exchange gifts and we laughed. Dominick gave me a phone so I could gossip. Sami gave everyone pictures of himself and Casper gave out IOU’s. Marty and his boyfriend showed up with gifts for all and the list goes on. Kenny Alton came over to the bar and we hugged and laughed and just enjoyed seeing each other again. He still didn’t feel comfortable coming back to the bar, but we had gifts for each other. He informed me that Rodger was doing well and that the two of them were thinking of doing a show at other clubs.
After Alton left I divided myself between Johnny and Little Sal, but it was Little Sal who invited me to go see the tree at Rockefeller Center. We went and sang carols with the homeless people. It was bitter sweet, like my life, I was watching homeless people with their lives in plastic bags and Little Sal in the Christmas spirit, but I was sad thinking of Johnny. Sal was buying the homeless hot chocolate and I didn’t even see his goodness, I just missed John.
I went to sleep with the angels that Christmas and it was the first Christmas I woke and didn’t run to open presents. I was a grown up. I went to Christmas morning mass and looked forward to shake hands of peace. I had so much to be happy for, great family and friends!
Till tomorrow, be kind