Open Writing

What can a man possibly know about Christmas shopping? Don't we leave it all to the girl, if we're smart?

If we are 'smarter' still don't we rush out at the last minute, leaving rubber as we race from one parking lot to the next find that extra special gift we haven't given a thought to until the last minute? Aren't those of us who are wealthy enough, or higher upper enough in our corporations, supposed to use our secretaries for this sort of thing?

Well, I have struggled with that over the past couple of weeks and then, on my way into North Hollywood the other day I started to think about what I remembered about Christmases past. What did I really remember? After all, isn't that really what Christmas is about, remembering ?

The first thing that came to mind, once I was walking down that path, was the year my Dad bought my brother and me a Scalextrix set. Is that what it was called? It was one of those new-fangled slot racing car sets. Fancy stuff. We were so excited we were up at 3:00 a.m. playing with it. I still remember him coming downstairs and telling us to go back to bed. But he did not seem too upset. I think that basically he was very pleased that he had pleased us so much.

The other year I remember, in particular, was the year my granddad bought me a control line airplane. He took my brother Gary, my sister and me out to shop for our Christmas presents and essentially said 'take your pick'. Of course, he wasn't that wasteful so there were budgets but we just felt like kids in a candy store and the sky was the limit.

Of course, we've gone through Christmases with our own kids. Kids? They're 30 and 28. Funny how you still call them kids.

We've had some very lean Christmases, and Christmases when we were OK financially. Yes, we have rushed last minute from shop to shop. I've snuck around buying things weeks before looking for that perfect gift and been so pleased when I managed to pick something that was wanted.

But where are they all now? I don't think a single one of the gifts I purchased is still owned by any one of the family. Oh, perhaps a couple of pieces of jewelry I gave Sue one year when I could afford it.

But the greatest gift of all those Christmases is the memories. Some of the best ones were when we did not have any money, but we always invited my cousin around and another displaced immigrant family we knew for Christmas dinner. It became somewhat of a tradition for us. Recently I was scanning all of our photos and videos onto the computer and smiling as I recalled the parties.

That's where the joy is for me. Remembering the good times with people. Not the gifts.

I know we're not supposed to preach here but, being a Christian, I can't also help but reflect on the gift that God gave man. He did not rush out to the newest mall to purchase the latest electronic gizmo or faddy craft. He sent someone with a message of peace and love. Oh, and a sword. How can any one of us 'top' that gift?

Some of us, I am sure, have been disappointed when we have seen disappointment on the faces of the receiver as they have received our gifts. Imagine the disappointment on God's face as His gift is so often rejected? Put yourself in His shoes. Would you feel like giving any more?

This year is going to be a little different for us. My wife and I are now resident in LA. Our kids, and the cousin and other immigrant family are still in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. I don't know how we are going to do the Christmas day thing. Truth be told, the group has become smaller over the years with it just being our family and my cousin and his wife. And our kids, being so young, hah, haven't wanted to hang around long after dinner with us old folks.

But, we need to make a plan to make more memories. In the end, that's about all we can take with us as we depart. Is it not?

© Robert Heller

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Robert writes for Bonzer! magazine. Please visit www.bonzer.org.au