All I Want For Christmas
I really like the Christmas season. It is the one time of the year when I tend to put aside all the important things which are really not so important.
Yesterday, Judy asked me what I wanted for Christmas more than anything else. I thought for a minute or two but I was really unable to answer her question. There was this elderly gentleman that I met in the Colonial Glynn Place Mall last year. He and I sat on a wooden bench outside the KB Toys Store watching the kids as they ran wildly in and out of the store.
"Never got to do that kind of a thing when I was a kid. Never even got to pick out one single toy that I ever wanted," he told me.
"How come," I asked him.
"Family was just too poor. Never really even had a Christmas. Of course, that was even way before your time," he told me, as he laughed.
"How come you never celebrated Christmas?" I asked him.
"Oh, we had a small pine tree every year but that was about it. Made our own decorations and all that. But we never had a party or anything," said the old man.
"What are you doing this year?" I asked him.
"Nothing special. Just me and my dog left now," he told me.
"You're welcome to come as our guest, to the Christmas party at Sonny's Bar BQ tomorrow night," I said.
"That's awfully nice of you fellow. But I really don't want to impose on anyone. The fact that you offered is more than enough," he responded.
I told him goodbye and I reached out and I shook his shaking old hand. Then I headed off to K-Mart where I picked up some last minute items. The next day it was a little bit cold and it was raining.
Judy and I took our umbrellas, our gifts and our granddaughter, Chelsey, and at about 9:30pm we headed off to the Christmas party. There were games, gifts, fun and food for all.
Kathy always puts on quite a party for her employees and their families. I sat there watching the children as they ran, and laughed, and clapped their little hands acting as if they had not a worry in the world.
"That's the way it is supposed to be for kids," I said to myself.
As I was looking around the room I saw the same old man that I had met at the mall looking in the rain soaked window. I waived my hand at him and quickly stood up.
Just as I headed towards the front door he disappeared from view.
I walked around the waitress station as quickly as I could and then I ran outside into the rain, but he was no where to be found.
What do I want more than anything else this Christmas? I want that 90 year old gentleman to come to the Christmas party this year and feel that he is welcomed.
I want to sit down and eat dinner with him.
I would also like to give him the "yo-yo," which I saw him admiring at KB Toys. A gift which I bought for him last year.