Anticipation
When I reflect on Christmas a montage of memories fill my head. Growing up in Minnesota I enjoyed a traditional white Christmas sitting by the Christmas tree looking at the wintry wonderland.
My most cherished Christmas though was our family trip to my grandparents in St. Petersburg, Flo
John looking on, Uncle Jim with his new remote control car, and John's Dad Bob
rida when I was seven. A warm, balmy Christmas included a trip to the beach and enviously watching my Uncle Jim play with a new remote control car outside; an outdoor treat for a Minnesotan. That same Christmas I remember driving everyone crazy because I “knew” what was in every box under the tree from shaking,
feeling and measuring every package. One gift for me caught my seven-year-old “know it all” attention because I was convinced it contained Legos. My Uncle Jim repeatedly encouraged me to tone down my attitude and cautioned me I might be wrong and a box of rocks.
On Christmas morning our family opened our gifts in the usual tradition, passing one to each member, taking a moment to open and comment while I impatiently anticipated my turn. Surrounded by my parents, sister, grandparents, and multiple aunts and uncles I greedily opened my presents and finally came to my anticipated present of Legos. I opened the package and was excited to see a Lego logo and a picture of a Lego police station; my Uncle Jim encouraged me to go ahead and open the box and look at the pieces. I was greeted by a bag of white gravel! My tears flowed and my Uncle laughingly and lovingly handed me the real Lego pieces.
I learned a lot that Christmas: to enjoy the anticipation of the holiday, the anticipation of opening a gift without knowing its contents, and not to take away from other’s enjoyment of the day.
Recent Comments