There might be, must be, other kids in the world like me. Christmas morning, that day when no child needs stirred from their bed. Excitement awakens them and draws them like a magnet to see what awaits them hidden in those multiplied colorful packages wrapped in ribbon, topped with bows The excitement turned into pure magic each time on this package and that one, your name was attached. Meaning, whatever was inside the box was meant just for you.
I was as excited as the next kid, but apparently not in a big
rush. My sisters, 6 and 9 years older, always eagerly woke me up. The time of morning this abrupt awakening took place, depended on if my Dad had to work that year. As a firefighter that worked 24 on and 24 off, it meant some years he had to spend Christmas at work. On those days we would rise under the cover of darkness to assure we shared the exchanging of gifts as a family. The years he had Christmas at home, we waited until we heard the key turning in the lock. Hearts pounding; Dad was home, meaning Christmas for us, just arrived. Without delay, we made our way to the living room. Dad and Mom together, patiently, happily watching as we tore open the paper and flung open the boxes. Smiling faces, flying thanks, and always Dad and Mom asking, "What did you get?"
Everyone has traditions....those certain practices that make it feel like Christmas; that special feeling of home.
After the last package was opened and the last gift admired, my parents would set to work in the kitchen preparing our Christmas breakfast, as only they could. Pancakes, eggs, grapefruit, topped with a maraschino cherry, and this out of this world sausage they would get from the butcher around the corner.
The food was great; pancakes hot and fluffy, eggs to everyone's specification, sausage just spicy enough, grapefruit juicy. What made it taste like the magic of Christmas was my parents preparing it for us, with love, as we busied ourselves examining our now revealed presents. Certain ones were to be worn, others assembly required, others yet...ready to go....Let the games begin!
Cozy feelings, warm and fuzzy, hold in your heart days that help you know you belong.The anticipation of something wonderful. The sensation that originated in your heart and found its way to your wiggly, tingly toes.
The magic of Christmas
The togetherness of family
The belief of good,
towering over anything
challenging its right to be there.
The conviction, bone deep,
that happy endings don't live
only in movies.
The timeless art of believing
that the babe in that manger
came with purpose,
wrapped in power.
And it was just for you.
