REALITY: Christmas Thinkings

Is it over yet–the shortest day?  Today has dawned with the dawning that the days are shortest when I need them longest, just before the Christmas crunch.  Traditions that I’ve clung to–cabinets of cookies produced for three weeks prior, the creche set I covered with material and bits of fur for hair and eyebrows when I was nine or ten (when I had the patience and beliefs of a saint), wrapping packages with complicated ribbons and bows…a decorated tree–are falling away from me as much as have the dolls and books and games I always sought from Santa. 

Or maybe just the dolls; the books are more a part of me than I’ll admit, although I will not so much as write my name inside to taint the sacred script.  And games, well I’m just beginning to accept that maturity is not a reason to give them up–they’re learning tools and I most eagerly anticipate delving into their new technology that the study of new media legitimizes.  Dolls were a large part of my childhood, being the youngest and considered too dopey for my sisters, they replaced them more than adequately.  No talking dolls–although Wanda the Walking doll was a Christmas gift once from an aunt and I never liked her–the doll, not my aunt.  Talking dolls were limited to only a half dozen short sentences.  My dolls spoke in different voices and on any topic I wanted them to opinionate upon.

But this year has done me in completely; no Christmas greetings were sent to friends, I’m cheating with those Christmas bags instead of wrapping boxes.  But for all I’ve lost this year I’ve gained a new best friend.  He must be that, for I am worried lest he get wet (though fully protected by American Tourister and an umbrella) on the forty-foot walk to work this morning in the rain.  For Del and I have big plans this coming year, and we like the same things and can enjoy them together; books and games.