This is a time for family, right? Well, my childhood Christmas memories are so fully of family, fun, and PRESENTS that I can hardly stand it. I get happy just remembering the "good old days" when dad decorated the house so bright that we were afraid 747's were going to land on it, the days of neighborhood Christmas party, Christmas Eve service (before we were really Christians), FOOD, and last but not least....being really surprised by my gifts. My daddy did a great job of surprising me. If he thought I had a hint about what I was getting, he would put a spin on it. Like, hide the "big gift" so I would think that I wasn't getting the gift and then...WHAM...there it was.One such time was when I got my first TV. I was about 9 or 10 and I really wanted a TV. So I came down stairs on Christmas morning looking for my presents...and I ripped through them all...to find that I had no TV. Sadly I took all of my new toys upstairs to my bedroom (at the request of my father) to find a TV just sitting in my bedroom. WHAM! Surprise!
Or how about the year I wanted a Nintendo (the VERY FIRST ONE, I might add)? Oh, I looked carefully through every gift. I was SURE that dad KNEW I wanted a Nintendo, but it was no where to be found. This time, Dad waited HOURS before sending me to the truck to get some "sodas" out of the trunk....and there it was, like finding a pot of gold, my Nintendo.
The truth is, I love Surprises. Unfortunately, to be surprised as an adult takes quite a bit of work from someone who really cares and knows you well. Since I am single, that is rare. Well, even from the grave, my daddy surprised me again. I was cleaning out a closet to make room for some "storage" of my stuff while I will be gone and I found a package containing some dollar bills my dad bought me at the MINT (where they make money) in 1983. In the package was a note that said, "Charlene, your daddy loves you very much and I will see you in Heaven one day. Always, Dad"
It was like a little note from dad to remind me of his love this first Christmas without him physically here....and to give me hope of seeing him again one day. What a great surprise! I love you too, Daddy!
5 comments:
Char! I am in tears over here! What a fantasic gift from both your fathers! I am sure that you Pappa in Heaven planed this whole thing! Maybe him and your Dad got together, what a great thought eh!?!?
Well, thankyou for sharing that. And for being you! Merry Christmas! May it hold many more good hearted surprises! Love ~me
This was beautiful!! And the start of a very special and memorable Christmas for you!
Ok I am losing it here! I mean full on crying. That was lovely.
Sitting at work with tears. Not good for me. That's one of the sweetest things I've read. What a very special reminder of how much your dad loved you.- Andrea
That was like one of those forwards that people send, but how much more awesome that it really happened and all the more that your daddy is with Jesus. It sounds like you are having a wonderful time with your family. What a blessing before you head to South Africa!
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