On Highway 20 some original prankster turned all the deer on the deer crossing signs into Rudolf by placing red dots on the noses. It makes me laugh each time I see it.
Harmless hijinks are popular in my house. One Christmas my daughter Nicole sneaked a favorite article of clothing from her little sister Miranda, wrapped it, put ribbons and bows all over it and put it under the tree.
It was the first package she opened that early Christmas morning. “I love it, Nicole,” Miranda started to say. And then she realized what was going on. “What the ? ? Heyyyyyyyyyyyy, I”ve been looking all over for this, hmmph,” she said as she crossed her arms.
Miranda takes gift bearing holidays very seriously. She shakes packages, holds them under light and asks numerous questions about the possible contents inside. When the big day arrives, she rips through the paper at record speed, with ribbon and tissue paper flying everywhere.
She is also repetitive and specific about the gifts she wants to receive, which makes this next memory a doozy.
Miranda was fully obsessed with the television program Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She told us everyday for months that she really wanted the seasons of the show on DVD. She would even test us to make sure we knew.
“Nicole, Mom, what do I want for Christmas?” Miranda would ask in a slightly condescending tone, accentuating every syllable slowly.
When Nicole and I went to buy Miranda the gift, we saw a copy of the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie.
Nicole smiled and told me of her plan.
I went along with it. We bought the movie and wrapped it in a bigger box that looked to be the size of the requested gift.
We also purchased the requested item and hid it in a closet. Miranda was saving the best for last and when she opened the gift, she said, “This is not what I wanted. I told you guys what I wanted!” She looked all around the tree and in the branches with real panic on her face. We messed with her for a little while and then she burst into tears. So we brought out the real gift.
Nicole shook her head and said, “sheesh Miranda, calm down, Christmas is about giving and spending time with your family.”
The girls are adults now. We still spend Christmas day in pajamas with a fire going, chestnuts and marshmallows handy, while listening to The Kinks playing “Father Christmas,” The Pogues Shane MacGowan with Kirsty MacColl performing “Fairy Tale of New York,” John Lennon”s “Happy Xmas,” Joan Jett”s as well as Bob Seger”s renditions of “Little Drummer Boy” and of course Christmas is not complete without Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band belting out “Santa Claus is Comin” to Town.”
We will watch A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, Miracle on 34th Street, It”s a Wonderful Life, Charlie Brown Christmas, Love Actually, Elf, Scrooged and the Muppet Christmas Carol.
This is the one time of year when my mother makes her famous Hungarian pastries that nobody can replicate.
It takes her forever to make them, but no time at all for the treats to disappear.
The tree is adorned with ornaments from the past that hold beautiful memories.
At work and around town I witness countless acts of giving and goodwill. I love this time of year.
Each year we at Lake County Publishing print letters to Santa written by Lake County students. The majority of the munchkins want the newest toys, electronics and one little girl finished her list by asking for “everything in the world.”
That seemed like a letter Miranda would have written back in the day. Well, heck, even today. When I asked her what she wanted for Christmas this year, she told me, “tickets for Tom Petty”s European tour.”
“Is that all?” I asked her while laughing uncontrollably. She cited that Bruce Springsteen would be there, too.
I read the following letter from a little girl who I definitely relate to:
“Dear Santa, I want to see you in real life. If you can”t come it”s OK. You can send me a picture. I love school and my life is the best. With you in my life, I would be really happy. I love reading. If you can send me some books, I would be so happy!”
Brace yourself for the next letter though. I read it over and over. And yes, this is for real.
“Dear Santa, How have you been? I am doing good. I wanted to tell you how good I have been. I am the only one in my class that can read at a fourth grade level. So in return can I have a miracle for my dad to come back to life? I wish you good luck on your trip.”
She is hoping against hope that her behavior will resurrect her father.
I love Christmas and I love giving presents, but if I could only give one person one gift for the rest of my life, I would give this little girl her miracle. Her letter fills my thoughts and breaks my heart.
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee managing editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 ext. 32.
