CHRISTMAS EVE DAY

The house, on this Christmas Eve of 1999, is preparing to enfold its family. Christmas is the touchstone, and the family gathering is almost invariable, even though two of the three siblings and their families live hundreds of snowy miles away.

The familiar routines are in place, with one exception. Only Youngest and her family will make the trip. Oldest is anchored in Long Island, a recalcitrant husband holding her holiday with her family hostage. Still, the chores are manageable , the health of the folks still perched on the “independent” side of old age, and the last Christmas in the family home is underway.