I think most people think of Christmas in a manner that makes them annoyed. I know my husband has been annoyed by "Tis' The Season Cheer." I think I've finally made him understand what Christmas means to me. You see, Christmas was the only time I could pretend my family was normal.
Where I came from, the things that were going on didn't exist on Christmas Eve or Christmas. Santa Clause was real and he provided me with every toy I ever wanted. Spoiled, that was the word tossed at me. I was spoiled. In all honesty, I never asked for the things I got except a record player. The record player was the only thing I ever asked for. When I saw my brother with the stereo I asked for it infuriated me because it was the only time I asked for anything and he got it.
Truly, I wasn't as spoiled as my family thought I was. I didn't ask for most of what I got. My gram or mom would say we don't have much money and that was my sign to not do the " I wants." I guess it got to my family so much the opposite began to happen and they began to almost plead what it is that I want.
Spoiled, because I reacted the one Christmas over the stereo. It was the only year I asked for anything. I am not close to those who felt I was spoiled. I don't think they ever really knew me or what I stand for. I don't want gadgets that cost $100- $200. I am perfectly happy with something from The Dollar Tree. I'll be even happier if they take the money they were going to spend on me and find a charity to donate to.There are people worse off than I am. I believe in helping those who truly need it. I can live without gadgets and gizmos. I have enough that I've collected since childhood and my mom and brother spoil my family a bit , much. I won't explain how, that would make us vulnerable to some unscrupulous sorts.
I have seen that kind of materialism in my family and it's not about what you can acquire, it's about how you can give. It doesn't matter how much you give or what you give. What matters is the place you give it from, your heart.
I didn't mean to go off on a rant. As I said, Christmas was the only time my family seemed normal. I could count on my dad hiding in his room and my mom and gram just being there. My mom and gram were the two constants in my life I could always depend on and that was always far more important than objects that don't go with me when I die.
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