The Best Christmas Ever

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas, as lights are hung, present are wrapped and carols are being sung. It that time of year when I remember fondly those close to us who are no longer with us as physical beings.

I am sure we all know what its like to try to buy a gift for you parents. Especially when they would never even think of asking for something they want. My mothers standard Christmas response to the question “Mom what to you want for Christmas" was always the same...."just for me to be home at Christmas". Simple enough request of anyone. However life goes on and we all grow up...and some of us move away to become what ever life intends for us to be.

Yet my mother's yearly request never changed. All that changed was from where I asked the question. Over a phone line from Charlotte NC, or Richmond VA, and for the first time my mothers request could not be possible. So for several years I agonized over what to buy her that she could use, or want, or even needed. I always finally settled for something that could be neatly wrapped and shipped home. A phone call on Christmas Day always brought a laugh and and a sincere thank you...but inside I knew I should have been there to look into her twinkling blue eyes and say Merry Christmas Mom.

As fate would have it the year came around that I didn’t really have the means to purchase a Christmas Gift yet I still asked the question in early December to get the traditional response and my reply of "We shall see". As Christmas came closer that year I just could not shake the thoughts of Mom and home and all the good memories that brought to mind. I guess even then I was just unaware of how prosperous I really am because my employer that year for the first time ever gave out a small Christmas bonus...nothing to write home about ...but just enough for a couple of tanks of gas. So late on Christmas Eve I headed out to give my Mom the only gift I could afford that year. Well as traffic can be on holidays the 8 hour trip stretched into 13 which put me home right about 5 a.m.

So to say the least tire and hungry I drove up the driveway to the house which should have still been dark at that hour. Yet for some reason the house was fully lit up and when I down the hall toward the kitchen my Mothers voice came to me. "Dexter is that you" As I came into the kitchen the table was fully set and breakfast was on the stove. She just looked at me and said she just knew I was coming home. Well long story short it was one of the best Christmas I ever had and that was the way I have the joy of remembering my mother....happy, blue eyes twinkling because I had given her exactly what she asked for. Nothing more than that I come home for Christmas.

Mom passed away the following August and that Christmas was the last time I felt the true joy of an unconditional love like no other. So love you parents and family....listen to what they are really asking for. Cherish the memories both good and bad.

Peace on Earth ...and love to all.