Merry Christmas (Part Two of Three)

The End of the Good Old Days

 

      When I was a Senior in High School, it was my Dad's last Christmas with us.  My parents would be separated soon after.  I must admit that, at that time and until this very day, I believe it was for the best.  Living with over five years of their constant fighting, both verbal and physical, was a torture no child of any age should have to endure.  It was bad and it will be a story for later, but the amazing thing was that, as far as Christmas went, my Mom never missed a beat.

 

      The previous year "Santa" brought me a compact transistor stereo.  It was an all-in-one unit.  I was one of the first of my friends to have that new technology.  My Mom always loved gadgets and cutting edge stuff.  I had only a handful of records, but my stereo also had an FM Stereo Radio!  Underground radio stations back then would play entire record albums so listeners could record them.  My built in cassette deck worked just fine!  The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Chicago Transit Authority; I liked it LOUD!  But my Dad didn't, so I bought headphones.  Take that you old fart!

 

      That year "Santa" brought me a camera.  It was the last time I really anticipated Christmas morning.  I knew that my parents financial situation was tight so I wasn't sure I would get my "big" gift that year.  Let's face it, I knew who Santa was!  But   there was a minimum camera that I wanted, and it was pretty expensive.  I was afraid that my Mom, unable to afford it, would buy something less expensive that did not have the capabilities of the model I wanted.

 

      I had done lots of research to find just the right camera.  It would be easy to just ask for the most expensive camera and hope for the best but I knew that was not the right approach.  I decided what features the camera should have and the minimum quality of lenses I would need.  I checked out all the manufacturers and read up on test reports until I found the least expensive one that would work for me.  That is the one I put in my letter to Santa.  I tried to explain clearly why that was the one I wanted and that anything cheaper would not suffice.

 

      I was totally understanding of my Mom's, I mean Santa's financial plight.  She, I mean he always wanted to do the best for us, but I understood about money then.  I was so worried that I would react badly if I didn't get the right camera and I did not want to hurt my Mom's feelings, so at about 3:00 AM Christmas Morning I snuck downstairs to the Christmas Tree.  I located a box of the right shape and size with my name on it in the sea of gifts.  I carefully untaped the paper just enough to expose the printing on the box.  It was exactly right!  How could I have ever doubted her, I mean him?  Exceedingly happy, I retaped the box and placed it exactly as I had found it before returning to my room.

 

      That Christmas Morning we kids opened our presents, the family ate breakfast, Dad went back to bed and Mom watched us happily play with our gifts while she cleaned up the place.  That was the last Christmas I had as a "kid."  That was the last time I got up early because I was so excited.  That was the last time I had a truly Merry Christmas with my family.

______________________________________________________

Ric's Blogs          All Blogs          Ric's Web Site

______________________________________________________

Constructive comments welcome at ric@ricsweb.com

© 1989 - 2006  Ricsweb - All Rights Reserved