There is nothing more magical than Christmas, but especially to someone experiencing its magic for the very first time. (In this case, the wonder is doubled: there are two little twin babies who are going to experience their very first Christmas.)
Christmas has always been a very magical time for many people. Somehow, the smell of Christmas cookies baking in the oven, the sight of the twinkling lights on houses or decorated Christmas trees that fill the house with the fresh, outdoorsy scent of pine, and the love, joy, and laughter that fills many a home on Christmas as family members get together has always had that affect on people. I know it has on me.
I remember plenty of happy Christmases in my own life; and I also remember the gifts I had gotten in Christmases past; but I think that this Christmas will be especially sweet. Besides my wife, M'buti, and our older son, Jubaki, we also have two new additions to our family, and they are going to be experiencing Christmas for the very first time. Our twins are now nearing one year old, and they are entranced and enraptured by all the lights and "decorations" that now can be seen in our home. They are fascinated with the tree with its tinsel, twinkling lights, and shiny balls, and they are wondering what is going on. I can see the look of confusion and wonder on the little brown faces of our twin son and daughter, Kiberake and Eshe', and it is all very endearing to see. I am sure they are wondering why we have a tree with lights on in the house, and I am sure they wonder what all the different brightly wrapped "boxes" that are sitting under the tree are supposed to mean. They are also probably wondering who this "Santa Claus" fellow is and are still probably recovering from the trauma of seeing this roly poly old man dressed in a red suit lined with white fur and who went "HO! HO! HO!" (We took the twins to see Santa last week, and let's just say it was NOT a very happy experience for them. I am sure it wasn't for poor Santa either.)
The songs being played on the radio or in our house (a la "Jingle Bells", "Santa Claus Is Comin' To TOwn", and "Deck The Halls", to name but a very few!) probably have no meaning whatsoever to two bright-eyed little tots, but to me, it brings back pleasant memories of Christmases past. Like the time I got the red firetruck when I was four years old, or the time when I tripped over the dog and knocked the tree over when I was eight; and then got my ass whupped for knocking the tree over by my daddy. (The spanking wasn't so pleasant, but it still happened; see, even on Christmas, kids can't stay out of trouble; and I am living proof of THAT! LOL) The songs also probably have no meaning to my wife, M'buti; she really isn't into this Christmas spirit either. She lived in Africa until only a few years ago, so like the twins, she is discovering Christmas too. (Our older son, Jubaki, is all for Christmas; and the only reason? Santa Claus! He can't wait to get at the presents under the tree; and every day we have to remind him that Santa is watching him and he had better be a good boy, or Santa will take the gifts away; so that keeps him on his toes!)
But OH! On Christmas morning, I am sure that there will be much happiness and laughter, especially when Jubaki sees the big, black remote control HUMMER that "Santa" (me!) brought him "directly from the North Pole" (the "North Pole" really being Toys'R'Us!), or when Kibarake sees the new wooden blocks and when Eshe' sees the pretty Maasai dolly that I ordered from one of those shopping networks on tv! I can also imagine the joy on my wife's face when I present her the keys to her very own "Christmas present", which is a brand new harvest-orange Volkswagen Beetle which a friend sold me! (I have "connections". HEE! :D)
(Of COURSE, the kids and my wife DON'T know about their "gifts", but boy, I sure do; and so does my pocketbook! I am NOT looking forward to January AT all....LOL)
~Roberto.
(To be continued~!)
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Reviewed by Robert Blackwell
12/19/2003
First Christmases are such a special time for a child. Beautiful, as always, Karen. {{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}
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