I am so excited to share this particular Christmas with my grandson Rowen. He is now 4, the perfect age to grasp the wonder and awe and majesty, to rejoice in the anticipation as much as the event, to relish each surprise as it comes his way. To see Christmas again through such eyes is a delight and I can hardly wait.
In my family, and I suspect in yours, when it comes to Christmas gifts, some are absolutely inspired and will be remembered for a life time, but most are pretty pedestrian, the giver more appreciated than the gift.
And as soon as November rolls around in my family, we stop buying things for ourselves or others unless they’re to be saved for Christmas. Need a new pair of socks? Wait for Christmas and maybe Grandma will get you some. Getting low on dental floss? There’ll probably be some in your stocking. And if you’re lucky, there’ll be a can of your favorite black olives all wrapped up under the tree for you.
We wrap everything and call it a gift – I love that about us, even if it does make for some pretty funny gifts (use your own imagination, but think on the advantages of Polident once you’ve reached a certain age).
But my absolute favorite gift moment has to be my son Ben, exclaiming as he opened one such family gift from me, “Underpants? For me????”
Like Rowen, Ben was still a small boy and there was no irony in his voice. He was genuinely thrilled to be receiving a gift of white jockey underpants. Every single gift he opened was a new and wonderful surprise and he received them all, even the underpants, with equal joy.
I love that about him. I loved it then and I love it still. This son of mine always finds joy in receiving. He doesn’t measure and find wanting. When it comes to gifts, he sees the glass not as half full, but as overflowing.
And isn’t that so very true?
The gifts we receive are gift and giver, all rolled into one . . . what rapture, what joy, that you would think on me . . . that you would give me this . . . from you . . . oh, how lucky, how blessed am I!
Gifting is holy ground and all who stand upon it are blessed.
I don’t know whether Rowen will have his father’s unabashed excitement and gratitude at receiving gifts or not. I hope so. I hope I hear from him this Christmas, “Underpants? For me????” because he is surely going to receive some.
Merry Christmas, Ben. Be watching for those underpants.
Love, Mom
In my family, and I suspect in yours, when it comes to Christmas gifts, some are absolutely inspired and will be remembered for a life time, but most are pretty pedestrian, the giver more appreciated than the gift.
And as soon as November rolls around in my family, we stop buying things for ourselves or others unless they’re to be saved for Christmas. Need a new pair of socks? Wait for Christmas and maybe Grandma will get you some. Getting low on dental floss? There’ll probably be some in your stocking. And if you’re lucky, there’ll be a can of your favorite black olives all wrapped up under the tree for you.
We wrap everything and call it a gift – I love that about us, even if it does make for some pretty funny gifts (use your own imagination, but think on the advantages of Polident once you’ve reached a certain age).
But my absolute favorite gift moment has to be my son Ben, exclaiming as he opened one such family gift from me, “Underpants? For me????”
Like Rowen, Ben was still a small boy and there was no irony in his voice. He was genuinely thrilled to be receiving a gift of white jockey underpants. Every single gift he opened was a new and wonderful surprise and he received them all, even the underpants, with equal joy.
I love that about him. I loved it then and I love it still. This son of mine always finds joy in receiving. He doesn’t measure and find wanting. When it comes to gifts, he sees the glass not as half full, but as overflowing.
And isn’t that so very true?
The gifts we receive are gift and giver, all rolled into one . . . what rapture, what joy, that you would think on me . . . that you would give me this . . . from you . . . oh, how lucky, how blessed am I!
Gifting is holy ground and all who stand upon it are blessed.
I don’t know whether Rowen will have his father’s unabashed excitement and gratitude at receiving gifts or not. I hope so. I hope I hear from him this Christmas, “Underpants? For me????” because he is surely going to receive some.
Merry Christmas, Ben. Be watching for those underpants.
Love, Mom
I spent the afternoon wrapping presents for those I love and who have done so much to make my life good. And having doubts. What will they think!. I hope they appreciate the neon socks, a painting, Blue Roof moon pies, and a fancy cooking pot. Who knows? But you made me feel OK. sb
ReplyDeleteGlad to contribute to a feeling of well-being! And I for one LOVE neon socks & can't imagine anyone wouldn't!
ReplyDelete