My Christmas List

I have been traveling a lot lately. 

Earlier this week, I traveled back to 1966. I have pleasant memories of the Christmas of 1966.

I recall my mother urging me to create a Christmas list.  So, she supplied a Big Chief tablet and a Number 2 pencil… 

She also produced an essential tool for children of the 1960’s to use in making a Christmas list, the 1966 Sears Wish book.  Published at more than 600 pages, the Wish Book was a trove of toy filled pages.  Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t only toys, this catalog contained every conceivable item from kid’s denim jeans with reinforced knees to Craftsman tools, but the toy section was the go-to area.

Most every home in my neighborhood included this heavyweight catalog picturing a pensive young girl on the cover considering the Christmas ornaments adorning her tree. I recall that one of my neighbors wrote a letter to Santa that year referencing the page numbers in the Wish Book to aid Santa in properly identifying the requested toys. 

The anchor item that year on my list was a train set.  And, although the song reminds us,

He knows if you’ve been bad or good; So be good for goodness sake!

I did indeed find a train set under the tree on Christmas morning. 

But looking back, although I enjoyed many hours of ‘conducting’, Christmas 1966 was highlighted by the opportunity to share it with a large gathering of family. Four generations that year under one roof, sharing laughter and love. I would wish for every child the opportunity to share those special hugs from parents, grandparents, and great grandparents that still linger with me today some 55 years later.

Just after Thanksgiving this year, I traveled to the last Saturday in November 1986. 

My wife had determined that our home, a Mediterranean style, stucco with a red tile roof, needed Christmas lights to help celebrate the season. After some consideration, she determined that she would like the large ‘old style’, multi-colored lights that were popular when we were children. “Kind of nostalgic”, she described.

Have you ever tried to hang nostalgic Christmas lights on a stucco house? It wasn’t easy. The house was more vertical that I had planned, the climb to the top was more perilous than I envisioned, and progress was painstakingly slow.  The job took the better part of a day to complete but throughout the day, my friend and neighbor, Larry would offer encouragement.

Kevin, It’s looking good!

You’ve got this!

Hey buddy, you’re almost there!

Mind you, Larry was not at my house physically helping, but he was consistent in his moral support.

At dusk, I finally made the electrical connection and made my way to stand on the sidewalk in front of the house to review my work.

Larry wandered over to a spot next to me and remarked that it seemed to be quite a job to hang those lights. He took a look at the lights….he looked at me…then back at the lights…and simply asked “Has Pam seen this yet?”

I indicated that she had not.

We stood there, we two…in a moment of silence…in a moment of clarity…both of us understanding completely.

The sound of the front door opening indicated that Pam was on her way out to begin her approval process. Remember, we’re talking about a Mediterranean style, stucco house with a red tile roof, now adorned with large, nostalgic Christmas lights…

She was beaming as she made her way to out our spot near the street.  As she arrived at our vantage point, she spun on her heel to face the holiday display.  Before she could say anything, Larry leans toward her and says,”What time does the Cantina open?”

We only lit Christmas lights the one time that year.

Reflecting on that day and that moment, I realize that I have been blessed with good friends and good memories of holiday events that will last a lifetime.

Just last night, I traveled back to November 2016.

That was the year that I enjoyed my last holiday season as a hearing person.  I recall eagerly tuning in each morning to KLUV, a local radio station notorious for playing Christmas music non-stop during the holiday season.  My high school classmate, Jody Dean, was the host of the morning show and I would tune in each morning to listen for Jody’s announcement of when KLUV had determined that the season had begun.

There is something special about Christmas music.  It can be nostalgic, romantic, and uplifting.  I grew up listening to compilation albums of famous crooners singing Christmas tunes.  Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Gene Autry, Eartha Kitt, and Elvis.

And on every street corner you’ll hear

Silver bells, silver bells

It’s Christmas time in the city

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

Do you hear what I hear? 

A song, a song, high above the trees

With a voice as big as the sea

The holiday season is filled with beautiful music and the sounds of Christmas.  Bells are ringing, children singing. Although I no longer hear those indicators, I am blessed to be able to replay those compilation albums on my mental jukebox.  And thankfully, I never run out of mental quarters…    

So today, I am going old school… Today, I am breaking out that Big Chief tablet once again so that I can finish this year’s Christmas List.  On that tablet you will find these words:

What I would like for Christmas…

Is for each of you to have the opportunity to share your fellowship, your laughter, and your love with each generation of your family to create a lifetime of memories.

Is for each of you to find a peaceful time to reflect on the blessings of good friends and neighbors who offer their support and their love, even during trying moments.

And I wish for each of you the ability to hear the joyous sounds of the holiday. May your hearts be warmed by the sounds of:

A song, a song high above the trees

With a voice as big as the sea

Even if you can only hear it in your heart.

May God bless each one of you wherever you may travel this holiday season.

Thanks for listening & Merry Christmas 2021!

Your friend,

KBM

Kevin Medlin
kevin@mysilentpew.com