I lived 21 years before experiencing Christmas 6,000 miles from home and family.

The US Navy in its infinite wisdom sent me to Rota, Spain.

That was a big deal for me because my family would gather on Christmas day at my grandparent’s house in Timmonsville, SC.

“Momma Lottie” had a Doctorate in Southern Cooking.

I can almost smell her food 50 years later.

But, no, not on Christmas day in 1968. That year’s Christmas meal would be served in the mess hall on base.

While it was superior to the normal meals, it was a far cry from my grandmother’s southern cooking. And instead of family members, 16,472 other sailors shared that Christmas meal with me.

Christmas Eve, however, was different.

I had been at Rota since May and had many friends Including Bill and Dora Cader.

Bill and I would later be stationed in San Diego. He was my best man when Lana and I were married.

We had bonded quickly. I soon became a part of their family and baby sitter for their daughter.

It felt good to have a family 6,000 miles from home.

My birthday is December 24. Bill and Dora decided to have a birthday and Christmas party for me and invited mutual friends including the guys I shared an apartment with. We had a great meal, adult beverages, southern sweet tea and some fantastic Mexican dessert. Dora was from Mexico.

The fun, laughter and camaraderie made me realize that friends can become family. And no matter how far away you are from your birth family, adopted families make you feel like home.

Chuck McCurry writes the Church Buzz column for the Chronicle.