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As Christmas day draws near, I find myself (as I do every year) going back over the years, recognizing what got me here, and for the most part… Reveling in nostalgia. Some holidays past stand out more than others, and I can remember all the way back to 4th grade easily. 4th Grade was pretty awesome because I got a whole bunch of 12″ Tall G.I. JOES… Well more like 4 but that’s a whole bunch when you’re that age!


Some I spent with long distant family and friends. Others were spent with only a few people. I don’t remember ever having a bad Christmas… Well, that’s not entirely true. One year, when I was really young, my mom didn’t get me the correct Mutant Ninja Turtle so, as any young boy would do, I voiced my opinion in a very defiant and boisterous manner. Needless to say, I was sent to my room.


But the most memorable Christmas I can remember comes back to me every year, and it’s the most important lesson I ever learned…


When I was about 12 yrs old I started acting a little more unruly than usual. I was beginning my rebellious phase, or at least trying to! That entire year I stepped on peoples feelings, did what I wanted, started smoking, and I pretty much just stayed grounded all year! This whole year was really a lot like going through the local judicial system.


I would get caught doing something stupid. A good Samaritan (AKA, one of my sisters) would see me doing whatever it was that I wasn’t supposed to be doing and go inform the authorities. An officer (AKA, MOM, a neighbor, or a relative) would come and arrest me. I would be brought before The Judge (AKA, MOM) and a hearing would start. The Prosecution (AKA, whoever caught me) would present their case (I saw Adam doing __________). I would confirm this was true and then would be handed down the sentencing. Generally a grounding, a spanking, or if it was bad enough, BOTH!


I would serve my time. Meet with the parole board (AKA, MOM). After passing the Parole Hearing, I would then be swept in front of the probation officer (AKA, MOM). Who would then inform me of my community service (ie, mowing the lawn, dinner dishes, etc.). Then my PO would also let me know that under no uncertain terms was I allowed to… do whatever got me here to begin with or there would be little possibility of quick parole on the next round.


After a time my mom got tired of me being in her court room. I was just tired of people telling on me! So, my mom, in her motherly wisdom started scheming.


It was getting close to Christmas and I think was starting to act a little bit better, still a hanging on to a little bit of the rebellion. Winning small battles but other than that, I wasn’t really causing any trouble. So, I was looking forward to Christmas, thinking I had behaved myself long enough to at least get something good.


So there we were, Christmas Eve, the day where we are all allowed to open one present before Christmas. Sometimes they were picked for you and other times you got to pick them yourself. Well, mine got picked for me. Our dear friend Jimmy, who worked at the local coal mines, had given me mine. It was huge and heavy! I was so excited, I didn’t have the slightest clue what it could be! With exuberant glee I tore open the package to find a Big… Huge… Piece of Coal in my lap. That’s right, it was coal. The first and only time Santa was able to get a hold of some coal and deliver it to my house. This was no ordinary piece of coal you would put in the stockings, this fit inside a Sprite 12 pack! I think he had been stock piling this stuff for years!


With tears in my eyes, they asked me if I wanted to start treating people with the respect and dignity they deserved. I nodded a weak nod and hugged my mom. It got real sappy, you know how it goes. I was then given my real present which I kept for the next 10 yrs or better. It was my favorite plaid shirt.


It wasn’t my favorite because of the style, or colors, or how it looked on me. It was my favorite because of the lesson I learned to get that shirt.
“People should be treated with unyielding respect, dignity, and honor. WE are all miracles, and should be treated in that manner.”


Now, that you’ve read mine please tell me what you think and also tell me what your most memorable Christmas was. I would love to hear from some of you guys.


Post a comment below and tell me about your most memorable Christmas you can remember.


Thanks for reading and have a safe and fun Christmas!

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