This is the week. Two weekends ago we put up all the decorations and the tree, and this past weekend we sent the cards. Those glorious holiday cards with the pictures of your lovelies dressed like Ralphie as the Pink Nightmare in A Christmas Story. In the next week or two, our mantle, Christmas tree, and living room tables will be covered with images of a bunch of kids I don’t recognize and that all pretty much look the same to me. Before you cast me off as a total jerk, read further to understand my rant (and please keep sending us cards or my wife will kill me – I was only kidding about that part)…
I love everything about Christmas. Pandora’s Christmas Classics station becomes the staple in my car about a week after Halloween. I own every Christmas movie, cartoon, and Claymation picture ever produced. And yes, I actually like Christmas cards and children. However, when I receive a card with a picture of your three kids standing on the beach in shorts and Santa hats, but no sign of you, I’m disappointed.
You and I played kickball and Little League on Kelly Field together. We ate hundreds of meals at our fraternity house together. We watched the Gators become a national powerhouse in football and basketball together. You’re one of hundreds of people captured by my wife’s transparent and funny nature, and now we’re friends too. You helped me say goodbye to my father. We lived together because we couldn’t afford rent alone. We learned about the pains and wonders of this thing called “the real world” together. You came by the hospital to see my daughter when she was born. I was in your wedding. You were in mine.
The truth is that I love your kids, but I want to see you on these cards. We’re going through this journey together. Maybe we’re getting a little soft around the belt and gaining some skin on our heads, but that’s part of this life. For one reason or another, we’re in this thing together, as a team … and on next year’s Christmas card, I want to see you with your kids and your dogs and anyone else you care to include.
Happy Holidays!
