Christmas memories

Christmas was always my favorite time of year as a child. I have very happy memories of Christmas when I was growing up. I would make my list of Christmas presents months in advance, usually right after my birthday in August. I would make the list in order of priority, and explain carefully to my parents what was most important to get. They usually got my top request, but there were always some surprises. I enjoyed snooping around the house, trying to find their hiding places for my gifts, and I was successful at this for a few years before they wised up. I was also very good at guessing what a present was before I opened it. They put the presents under the tree several days in advance (we didn't do Santa), and I would shake and feel every one with my name on it. Eventually, they stopped labeling who the presents were for, which threw me off, but also threw them off when distributing the presents for opening. I was an expert at present-opening; as fast as lightning. And my reaction to seeing the present was, well, fanatical exuberance, with a dance and shouts of joy.

Since I have become a parent, the fun of Christmas has totally changed for me. It's still fun, but in a different way. I don't get as excited over my presents (which have been greatly reduced in number), but the fun of Christmas now comes from seeing Noah and Claire open their presents. Noah reacts to his presents much the same way I did - with wild expressions of surprise and happiness. His present-opening technique still needs work, but he's getting better. What I look forward to the most now about Christmas is seeing the joy on their faces. Now I know how my parents felt when they watched me open my gifts. And I know now that it is better to give than to receive.