Christmas and Almost Alone
Posted: Thursday, December 11, 2008
by Mr. Keith
IChooseThin
Yesterday the wind was blowing hard as I walked across the flight deck of the immense naval carrier I was stationed on. It was only a few moments ago that the message was slid under the door of my cabin that said my wife had a baby. It was my first child and there I was, half way around the world. Being apart at the birth of my child was not really such a horrible event because of the relationship I had with the child's mother, my wife. As I walked across the deck of the ship I could look up at the moon and know that it was the same moon that my daughter's newborn eyes had yet to experience. I knew that out there, far off in the distance was a person that would be forever tied to me by the mere bonds of being a parent. I knew that a moment had been passed that forever more; the reality of the world has come down square on the shoulders of me, because I was now a father. Although it was the Christmas season I know the love I had for my family could be projected across the miles and be felt as real as if the hug was physical.
This morning I was awoken to the scampering feet and the excited bouncing of all my children. The giggling was full throttle and excitement was floating in the air as strong as the scent from the garland wrapped around the staircase banister. Seeing the smiles in my children's faces made the morning of Christmas that much more thrilling. Seeing the spark of fantasy in the children's eyes was enough to mark that moment and know that moments like this one were special and are as fleeting as life itself.
After the presents were opened all of my teenage children gathered up their "loot" and carted it off to their rooms. It was a decent morning seeing the fairly acceptable attitude of the kids as they went through the motions of opening their presents. Once the presents had been gathered the head phones had been inserted and the text messaging had begun. I looked at my wife, the mother of our children, and cracked a half smile. My wife really appreciated the present she had received. As I looked at her it was a joy to not be far away from her side.
As Christmas day was coming to an end the telephone rang, breaking the silence of my quiet home. Once the call had been answered it was revealed that it was the last of all our distant children checking in, as required, which had become the Christmas ritual. After all, their Mother and Father were now far away and they had deserved at least a four minute phone call. The phone call was nice and cordial and barely lasted 4 minutes, but at least the calls had been made.
As my wife and I put away the tree until next year we found an ornament tucked in the corner of a box from that Christmas so long ago. It was the tiny USMC wreath I had on that ship on our first Christmas together, when we were apart. We took the decoration and decided it needed a new home. It was now going to adorn a special place in the home year round.
Looking back on Christmas past it is realized that the excitement of the children is what made Christmas what it is meant to be. Christmas can be a wonderful time of the year and that is all the more so when there are children underfoot. That magic that is in their hearts is infectious and wonderful. If you have children at home enjoy the time you have been granted because soon, much sooner that you think, you will find yourself not on a flight deck, but at home and alone, with only the memory of the laughter and the giggles of the children. I would love to continue this short essay but it is Christmas morning and I have to call my parents to wish them a Merry Christmas as they are getting very old and live so far away.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Mr. Keith, this is a lovely tribute to love and family. It kept my interest all the way through each time-span. God bless you and yours this Christmas in the comfort of one of His loving gifts-family members who are close whether near or far.Thanks for the wonderful response.
hi Mr. K,this was a wonderful, warm, and beautifully worded article.i know exactly what you are feeling.i never took the time when my kids were little, to realize that someday, they wouldn't be! and for all the people i said "yeah, yeah" to in my head, when they told me to enjoy that period of time, for they would be grown in the blink of an eye, i'm sorry, you were right!thanks for sharing,best regards,sueI read the article to my Mom and she was crying so much she had to hang up the phone.Thanks for the reply.Keith Q.
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