Dear Editor,
Unfortunately, the Christmas spirit seems to have departed, for senior citizens, that is. It’s just another day; by afternoon we have already forgotten that it’s ‘still’ Christmas. For all of us, whether young or not so young, it’s a day of overindulgence in the foods we enjoy; turkey, ham, potato-pudding and all kinds of tarts. All sugary dainties we know are not good for us, nevertheless, we devour them without any scruples.
A challenging day for diabetics. Keep an eye on the diabetic in your family; we eat and drink too much of the forbidden stuff and have to increase our daily dosage of insulin.
For children, it’s definitely the most exciting time of the year. Our children start making their lists for Santa at least three weeks before Christmas. My daughter would list a couple of items which included ‘money,’ write down a couple more items, followed by ‘more money.’
I used to tell my children on Christmas Eve: Remember, we don’t have a chimney, so make sure your mother does not lock the front door tonight. If she does, Santa won’t be able to get into the house with your gifts. “Mom, do NOT lock the door!” Before going to bed, they would check the door two or three times to ensure it was unlocked.
Knowing the excitement would keep them up until late, I would tell them, if you hear any sounds in the house during the night, be very, very quiet, pretend to be asleep, it’s Santa putting your gifts under the tree.”
On Christmas morning they would get up earlier than any other morning of the year, wake up their siblings, and not walk, but run toward the Christmas tree. They would let out several big wows on seeing all the colourful gifts under the tree and promptly start reading the name on each gift. The happiness and excitement on their faces were oh so precious.
Merry Christmas hugs and kisses for Mom and Dad had to wait until the excitement had died down somewhat. The following day they would want to visit their uncles and aunties, because Santa usually left gifts under their trees too.
You know that someday you will have to tell them that Mom and Dad are the real Mr. and Mrs. Clause. You worry that when that day comes, they might be disappointed, and even think that Mom and Dad have lied to us all these years. In my case, (it’s always the father’s job to confirm the non-existence of Santa) when that day came, their immediate reaction was: “We know that, Dad!”
New Year’s Eve is a different ballgame altogether when it comes to your teenagers. An acquaintance once told me, “I thought my mother was so stupid for staying up all night worrying and not going to sleep until my sisters and I got home in the wee hours of the morning. But now that I am a mother of teenagers, I know what she went through.”
You allow your teenagers to go out and have fun with their friends, and you give them a no-later-than time to be home, which they always try to extend. “But, Dad, my friends stay out much later than that”
Knowing there are many drunken drivers on the road on the last night of the year, and that there are predators lurking out there, you, as a concerned parent, cannot help but worry.
You breathe a sigh of relief and utter a thank You, Jesus, when you finally hear the front door open and their footsteps are quietly leading to their rooms. Only after this, you sleep like a baby!
To all my readers: Merry CHRISTmas and may the Lord grant you a blessed, safe and prosperous New Year. God bless you all!
Clive Hodge
