So, it’s here again. Christmas will arrive on the same day
as always, but the speed at which it comes seems to increase with each passing
year. I used to dislike it when people said such a thing, but now I realize
that with age, everything speeds up. What is important also changes as the
years roll along.
As children, we spent hours thumbing through Spiegel, Sears,
and General Products catalogs. Every toy we saw was added to our Christmas
lists. Our parents rarely had any idea what we actually wanted Santa to bring.
Eventually, they finally made “executive decisions” as to what to buy. I never
When my children arrived, I worried about choosing the right
things for them, and after they’d opened those presents, I always tormented
them with questions about how satisfied they were with the items they’d
received. I continually asked them if they were all right until the question
was met with furrowed brows and laser stares.
These days, I still hope we choose things that our children
and grandson like. Of course, saving the receipts helps, and then they always
appreciate some Christmas money. Amy declares that it is “always the right
color and the right size.”
For me, the presents aren’t so important now. Sure, I want
to be remembered, but I have no special items in mind for my own gifts. I have
everything I need, and unless someone is interested in giving me a new truck or
a leaf vacuum for my mower, I don’t think I require much of anything else.
I’m more about spending time with family during Christmas.
Having a few days with my grown children, son-in-law Nick, and grandson is a
much bigger joy. We pile in on each other and celebrate the season. Sometimes,
a person needs a bit of a respite from the noise and commotion, so he retreats
to his bedroom. Before long, he returns for another round of chaos. By the time
he holidays are finished, all of us are ready for a return to the normal life
that is free of so much hubbub. It’s not that we don’t love each other; it’s
that too much closeness grates on anyone’s nerves.
Soaking in the season and all that comes with it is a
blessing. The truth is everyone loves receiving gifts and spending time with
loved ones. At some point during the holidays, I’ll grow a bit moody and even
teary-eyed. It happens when I think about those people whom I loved and are now
gone.
I look at myself in the mirror sometimes and wonder how in
the world I grew so old. My mind is still that of a young man, but the body
that houses that mind is filled with aches and pains. I am at that place where
my parents and grandparents were in years gone by. What I most need to do now
is live in the moment and love my wife and children and grandson as much as
possible. At some point they will have to continue Christmas without me. It
would be nice if they remember me fondly and even have a few laughs at the
goofy things I contributed to the season.
I hope you have the opportunity to spend times with the ones
most dear to you this Christmas. Make sure you give them extra hugs and kisses
and “I love you’s.” Most of all, bow your head and give a word of thanks to God
for giving you these wonderful people. They are the presents that are most
important.
Merry Christmas!
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