Days Gone By

Surfing the channels with the remote, it landed on a happening of the moment. A holiday-decorated news station appeared with its staff and their families gathered to celebrate the Christmas season. Dressed in the colorful regalia of the holiday, their eyes were bright with expectation. Smiles on the young children and their parents widened, expecting good things to come.

Excitement stirred the air.

My heart leapt with glee. Then it grew heavy with sadness. Such an array of mixed emotions overcame me, I almost wanted to change the channel. Almost. But I knew why.

Reminiscence of the youth of our four children flooded me. The holiday season once was packed with festivities including plays, choir presentations, parties, baking homemade cookies, visiting relatives … the list goes on. It culminated, of course, with the grand finale visitation from Santa with his heaping red bag of goodies.

There was, however, a particular year when one child had a short list of possibilities, just one item. He spoke about it day and night and it probably was in his dreams. And there was no other favored gift. That was it.

But it was nowhere to be found.

My son sat very still, looking gloomy down on the floor, reminding me of myself of such a day long ago. In my teenage years, I too wanted one thing, a transistor radio complete with battery and ear plugs. I could almost feel it in my hands and smell it's electronic newness. With it were imaginings of attending a concert and seeing my favorite artist. I could meet the Beatles or sing with Petula Clark… and maybe go downtown myself.

Hmm…

I hit the pavement again, revisiting department stores in our area and even out of town.

What was I looking for? A good-sized box that contained a sports game played at home called "Gator Golf." I searched everywhere long before there were Amazon delivery trucks seen in our neighborhood. Ugh. And now I was sweating through my jacket.

There was only one place left. It was a clothing outlet with a few extra gadgets for the holiday. The store was in major disarray with merchandise opened and lying everywhere. Swiftly, I searched every aisle, seeking anything that remotely looked like a large colorful box with an enlarged gator on it.

Absolutely nothing.

I turned to leave, but felt one last nudge. Slowing my pace, I searched like a miner seeking a gold nugget.

Still nothing.

Rounding the last aisle with the exit staring at me, it looked like time to go home. When…what? A sparkle of color peeked from an endcap loaded with mismatched socks and wrinkled sweaters.

Could this be it? I swept down on it like a pelican catching a fish.

Got it! Unbelievable. I held the last Gator Golf. Santa had arrived.

Those days of youngsters and holidays have passed. Yet, now, they have returned. After all, children beget other children. Indeed, I am already a proud grandmother … with more still to come.

Yes, the stirrings of the Christmas holiday have filled me with awe and wonder, yielding an early surprise. Swaddled and peaceful, gently slumbers a newly born grandchild. A wonderous gift.

Truly, days have gone by, but there are many awesome moments awaiting. Hmm… and one day soon, I will again be hunting for another special something.

“and that’s how I live it.”

Enjoy your Holiday Season!