Christmas
I’ve been spending the past few days with my mom and my step-dad. They came in Saturday afternoon, and it’s been a great three days with the two of them. We got out of the house Sunday and took them to Garden of the Gods, Old Colorado City, Meadow Muffins, and finally back to the airport to pick up their luggage that arrived a day later than they did.
The rest of the time we’ve spent in the house. We tried to go out last night to run to the store to pick up some fixings for dinner tonight. We managed to dig our way out of the driveway and into the road. However, as soon as we started down the tunnel of snow that is our roadway, we found several drifts blocking the way. We decided to not get stuck, and turned back. We walked around the neighborhood (in the snow and blowing wind) trying to find green beans, but we came up empty. When we got back to the house, we called our nearest neighbors who happened to be out somewhere else. Kiara left a message for them, and they called us back today. They had two things that we needed: green beans, and a snow blower. The great neighbors that we have actually spent part of their Christmas plowing our driveway, and the roadway so that we can get out tomorrow morning to take my folks back to the airport on time. What wonderful people! We’re going to have to do something for them as a thanks.
We opened presents this morning, and I got two books that I’ve been wanting. I also got a guitar book and a George Carlin book from Kiara. My folks got me some cool little toys from the Toyota plant where my step-dad works. I also got some flannel clothes to wear around the house, and a light-wedge to use while in bed. I got Kiara a portable DVD player that she has been asking for along with Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain DVDs and a case to carry it all in. I think she’s happy with what I got her. She was already spending part of this morning watching the Animaniacs DVD set.
We got my mom a book/DVD on Chihuahuas (she has 4 of them), and we got my step-dad King of the Hill, Season 2. We also got them a 10×13 black and white photo from Sears of Kiara and me that they really liked. I hope they liked their gifts. We couldn’t get them much this year because money has been so tight. I feel like I received more than I gave this year. That used to be a great thing as a kid, but as an adult it makes me feel a little guilty. Of course, I still have a handful of gifts to give out to friends. I’m hoping that giving them stuff will make up for what I couldn’t give to my family today. I also didn’t get my brothers, or nieces anything this year. We just couldn’t afford it. I did manage to get in touch with my brother, though. We had a good talk on the phone this morning, and I was grateful for that.
Kiara’s cooking dinner right now, and my folks are taking a nap. I’m taking advantage of this time to post one final thought. I’ve always liked my step-dad. He’s always been the nicest, most down-to-Earth guy. He’s been a good thing for my mom, and he’s taken my little sister, my little brother, and even me (when I was 23) into his home and treated us all with dignity and respect. Over the years, I’ve grown to love him more and more. This weekend has really sealed our relationship even tighter. He’s more of a father to me than my own biological father has ever been. I overheard him talking to several people back in Texas, and he’s always referred to me as his “son”. Not “step-son”. Son. It’s made me so proud that he thinks of me as a son that I had to step away because of the tears in my eyes. That’s pretty much the best gift that I’ve received all year.
I hope that this Christmas season finds you warm, well-fed, in the arms of loved ones, and as happy as you can be.
