The Ghost of Christmas’ Past
Not so very long ago, just a few years in fact, I asked my love what she wanted for Christmas. I wondered what she may have wanted to do for the holidays. She told me she wasn’t in the Christmas spirit. She was sad, distant, and jaded.
I would find out later that she was having some problems with her family, things that maybe left her feeling a little empty. I had to fix this.
While she was at work a few days later, I went out to the local shopping mall. I bought the biggest pre-lit tree I could find, not to mention boxes of new decoration for the tree and even more for the apartment. All kinds of lights for hanging too. I stocked up the hot chocolate, eggnog, and actually had to run back for the Christmas music.
I think I spent a paycheque before dragging this stuff home, and boy it was heavy. Even tipped the cabbie a little extra to help me get it all to the elevator. I rushed through the evening, for I had little time. But I decorated the apartment, put up lights, put together the tree and lit it up. I left the tree decorations for us to do together. She was late getting home that night, probably out with friends bitching about what an asshole (I) her boyfriend was.
I could hear her come to the door when she arrived home, quietly I snickered as watched her through the peephole. She looked at the huge wreath and wondered if she was at the wrong apartment. After double checking the number on the door she entered. As she walked in, I handed her hot chocolate, kissed her and wished her a Merry Christmas. The cheery tunes played on the stereo and we finished decorating. I went to work that night with no sleep but it was worth it, knowing I’d just made her the happiest girl in the world…
For what feels like a lifetime, my Christmas was about her, and even today I truly hope she is able to find the same joy from that night, with every Christmas that passes.
There is another side to this story. I’m a man of extremes, and as romantic or tender as this episode was, being with me is one hell of an emotional roller coaster ride. I guess that is why she has moved on to a life less ordinary.
There will be no one to decorate the tree this year and for that reason it will stay packed away in storage.
May your Christmas be filled with the joy of knowing you have made someone you love happy! Merry Christmas Everyone.
