December 26: Gifts
On Christmas Eve, I had a memory/dream as I was falling to sleep of my beloved Thea Katina, one of the family matriarchs. She died when I was in my early 20s, but up to that point, she had been one of a circle of women who cared for me after my mother died. She was fierce and judgmental--you did not want to get on her bad side. But she was also fiercely loving, holding us all like a mother hen, both protecting and pushing us to be the best people we could be.
She also loved, loved, loved Christmas. Well, any holiday, really, but Christmas was her specialty. She was the best gift-buyer and gift-giver of anyone in the family. She always managed to get the perfect thing, usually something I hadn't asked for but loved more than anything else under the tree. We always had Christmas at her house, and the living room was always full of gifts and paper and craziness after supper.
One year, I had come back to my cousin Connie's (my second mom's) apartment for the holidays and was sleeping in the loft. She barged into Connie's apartment, singing Jingle Bells, not knowing I was upstairs asleep. She announced, "I had to drop this off early. I want Argie to open it first thing in the morning and not have to wait until tonight." I peered over the edge of the balcony and saw that she was dancing around, smiling, holding a little gift in her hand.
"What is it?" Connie asked.
She laughed. "It's a surprise!" She placed it under the tree.
"Shhh..." Connie said. "Argie's upstairs in the loft, sound asleep."
Even though I was in my 20s, I immediately pretended to lie still with my eyes closed.
I hate shopping and am terrible at gift giving. I used wish I was more like her in that respect, but I have over the years accepted that that's just who I am. For the grown ups in my life, I'll make some treats or get a well chosen gift certificate and call it good.
But I will never forget opening that package. She also loved to wrap, and each of her packages was sa work of art. Inside was a snow globe with a beautiful Pegasus. The base was blue with silver stars.
I have loved Pegasus ever since I read the first mythological story that features him--he unleashed the stream that brought back the Muses' talents after their father had silenced them. He was the first feminist, the first empowerer of creativity and joy, my grown up imaginary friend.
Today whenever my foster son is afraid or feeling lonely, he goes on a Pegasus adventure, riding Pegasus' back into the galaxies and through the stars, or, sometimes, to Washington, DC to drop a water balloon on Trump's head.
But I digress. That snow globe is among my most favorite possessions, even now.
Whatever you got or gave this Christmas, I hope it brought you joy. If not, it's not too late--the Christmas season goes on until January 7. You can still write a letter of gratitude, spend some time with a loved one, do something that is completely and utterly you and authentic and special, like that snow globe was for Thea Katina and for me.
She also loved, loved, loved Christmas. Well, any holiday, really, but Christmas was her specialty. She was the best gift-buyer and gift-giver of anyone in the family. She always managed to get the perfect thing, usually something I hadn't asked for but loved more than anything else under the tree. We always had Christmas at her house, and the living room was always full of gifts and paper and craziness after supper.
One year, I had come back to my cousin Connie's (my second mom's) apartment for the holidays and was sleeping in the loft. She barged into Connie's apartment, singing Jingle Bells, not knowing I was upstairs asleep. She announced, "I had to drop this off early. I want Argie to open it first thing in the morning and not have to wait until tonight." I peered over the edge of the balcony and saw that she was dancing around, smiling, holding a little gift in her hand.
"What is it?" Connie asked.
She laughed. "It's a surprise!" She placed it under the tree.
"Shhh..." Connie said. "Argie's upstairs in the loft, sound asleep."
Even though I was in my 20s, I immediately pretended to lie still with my eyes closed.
I hate shopping and am terrible at gift giving. I used wish I was more like her in that respect, but I have over the years accepted that that's just who I am. For the grown ups in my life, I'll make some treats or get a well chosen gift certificate and call it good.
But I will never forget opening that package. She also loved to wrap, and each of her packages was sa work of art. Inside was a snow globe with a beautiful Pegasus. The base was blue with silver stars.
I have loved Pegasus ever since I read the first mythological story that features him--he unleashed the stream that brought back the Muses' talents after their father had silenced them. He was the first feminist, the first empowerer of creativity and joy, my grown up imaginary friend.
Today whenever my foster son is afraid or feeling lonely, he goes on a Pegasus adventure, riding Pegasus' back into the galaxies and through the stars, or, sometimes, to Washington, DC to drop a water balloon on Trump's head.
But I digress. That snow globe is among my most favorite possessions, even now.
Whatever you got or gave this Christmas, I hope it brought you joy. If not, it's not too late--the Christmas season goes on until January 7. You can still write a letter of gratitude, spend some time with a loved one, do something that is completely and utterly you and authentic and special, like that snow globe was for Thea Katina and for me.
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