posted
When I was a kid, I used to get this amazing "jump-out-of-bed-with-glee" feeling whenever I was given a wonderful present that I just truly adored.
The last such time I remember vividly was when I was in 6th grade, and I got this really cool pair of sneakers. I was so excited the next day, I literally leaped out of bed and had them laid in front of the bed, so that I could put them on the first thing that morning.
In high school, I bonded very strongly to my saxophone, which I carried everywhere with me. There were times when I considered my saxophone my best friend, and we went through a lot together, good and bad.
So now I have the ability to buy or own pretty much anything within reason, and I have yet to capture that essence of excitement that I had in my youth.
But something happened that made me smile and warmed up my heart, causing me to get into the Christmas spirit a little more. I have been talking about getting an iPod and my son remembered that. So, he made out his annual Christmas list which we mailed to the North Pole, but this time he put in another request on the back of the list:
P.S. Santa, please remember to get my dad an iPod 20MB please! Thanks, Indy.
What could I say? My son remembered his over-worked and crabby Dad, even though I harp on him constantly to help me in caring for his younger sister. Geez, I felt humbled and guilty and blessed and...happy and sad all at once.
And somehow, I got that excited feeling back, present or no, and that is a miracle in itself.
Sure, Christmas is about many things, many important things that we might tend to overlook throughout the year. So Merry Christmas to everyone here at Hatrack, and may you find or rediscover the spirit of Christmas that makes this season special to you, no matter what.
posted
You should save that note, and write one of your own about how it made you feel. Then seal them both up in an envalope for him, and read it to him on the day he gets married (in private though), or some other important day.
Make sure you put a copy of that post in there too.
I guess I was about 13 or 14 when I realised I could sleep through Christmas Eve night without waking up every 15 minutes to feel my stocking. I still enjoyed Christmas but the whole tingly-anticipation thing just wasn't there.
But now what I love is giving presents - especially to my little sister (kids are so great to give gifts to) and my Mum.
As all parents do, I know my Mum loved the variety of home-made gifts she got from me over the years (she still has a particularly odius tin-foil and glitter christmas tree decoration she insists on hanging. Mind you, that's not as bad as the photo of my little brother in a jam jar lid. He's mortified every time that one comes out. We all think it's great). But I do enjoy having the money to get her something that makes her feel pampered. It's a good, tingly feeling, knowing you've bought nice presents for those you love. Posts: 466 | Registered: Sep 2003
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Imogen, I remember when I was a broke college student and my sister had just gotten married. We were meeting her in-laws in North Carolina at their house for Christmas, and I had only met his family once. But I was broke and busy with college, yet still wanted to do something to get into the Christmas spirit. So I took my credit card and went shopping and bought everyone a present who would be there, and took them with me on a flight to N.C.
I had a blast and that was probably one of the best Christmases ever!
Posts: 1870 | Registered: Mar 2003
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