The Best Gift

When my brother and I were kids Christmas was a time of no school and almost palpable anticipation.  Were we going to get cool stuff that we wanted or was it going to be one of those Christmases where our deportment earned us little more than things we "needed" along with the traditional Boys Life subscription and stupid board game from Aunt Shirley and Uncle Louie.  Fortunately, we usually avoided the holiday doghouse and would get fun things like a new bike, wagon or a Hopalong Cassidy cap gun.  Christmas was dandy and a return to school a couple of weeks away.

It's easy to forget what a kid's Christmas is like as we grow older and have children of our own.  Christmas becomes, like it or not, more of a chore and something to get through.  Jean Shepherd's book and movie, "A Christmas Story" captures this dichotomy superbly.  Ralphie, excited for the BB gun that will revolutionize his very existence and the "you'll put your eye out" protective rationality of his mom is there in technicolor for all of us to nod knowingly.

This year, as a grandparent, I have the rare opportunity to be a kid again at Christmas.  At four, our grandson Dan is completely in thrall of Santa, his elves, jingle bells and the baby Jesus.  For the first time it is all there on the big screen of his life.  He got to be one of the wise men in the church children's pageant and didn't mess it up.  The elf on the shelf has come to life at his house and Dan's behaviour has earned him high marks--so far.    He saw Santa at the Mission Bay Yacht Club where the jolly fat man can be found every Christmas in San Diego.  Dan greeted the old boy like a long lost friend and it was obvious that Santa and his Mrs. remembered the lad well.  (He got a candy cane to prove it.)

Who knows how long this Christmas magic will last?  I recall my guttersnipe pal, Bob Chamberlain, hipping me to the "Santa is your mom and dad" deal when I was about six or seven and I, in turn, wrecking my brother's faith at the tender age of five.  

So, this Christmas my wife and I will be at Daniel's house and will experience the day in all its majesty and wonder.  I think it's going to be a good year for him as I see a pile of presents under the tree that say "to Daniel", and Santa knows his address too.

The best gift of all this year comes with no box and no name.  It's for grandma and grandpa as we, for the second time in our lives, see Christmas through four year-old eyes.  Hands down the best gift, ever.

An actor prepares.

"Go ahead, guess what's in the box."

Nailed it!

Dan hangin' with Santa and Mrs. Claus