Christmas Joy

As Christmas approaches again this year, I try to recall the joy and anticipation I felt as a child. I remember waking up Christmas morning and slipping out of my warm bed. I would tiptoe downstairs with my little sister trailing behind me.

Reaching the living room, I'd spot my older brothers curled up on the couch. Grabbing a blanket, my sister and I would join them, wrapping the warmth of the blanket around us in our flannel nightgowns. There we'd sit, giggling softly as we waited for our parents to get up.

The rest of the day would be filled with joy and laughter as we opened our gifts one by one. Shrieks of excitement would be heard as my sister unwrapped a new baby doll. All of us would gather around to see a brother's new toy car. Unwrapping the gift I'd dreamed of for 6 months, I'd squeal in excitement and run to my mom to throw my arms around her.

Breakfast was always yogurt and cold cereal that were placed in our stockings that morning, and we'd eat it gathered around the dining room table, while discussing what we thought we'd get next.

The last gifts to be opened were our book bags, and that always led to silence as all of us would slowly flip through the pages of books. The rest of the day would be spent playing new games, trying out new toys and reading books while curled up on the couch.

Christmas is much the same now, but as I grow older, I begin to forget the pure and simple joy of a child over their gifts. My dream now is not for a new doll or toy, but to someday bring this same joy to my future children.