A Christmas Gift

--------------- Forwarded Message ---------------



From: 	Lincoln Rd. McHenry, IL, 71222,645

To: 	FetterNet

Date: 	Fri, Dec 17, 1993, 19:20



RE: 	A Christmas Gift



                            A Christmas Gift



        In the early seventies Roger and I were typical college students

when it came to disposable income - there wasn't much. We always had what

we needed and we got by with zero suffering. There just wasn't extra moola

hanging around for whims and desires. For 11 months of the year that was

no problem, but, when December rolled around I always felt a fiscal crunch

trying to put some nice gifts together for parents, one brother (we had a

GRAB BAG), and a few friends. It was during these years that Roger gave my

mother the most wonderous Christmas gift. A gift that I treasure having

been there to see.



        I loved meeting Roger at the airport when he arrived home from

Rockhurst College for the Christmas break. On the way home we would catch

up on everything and then get into ideas for Mom and Dad's Christmas

presents. The conversation this particular year went as follows:



        "So, Rog, got any good ideas for Mom and Dad? I've been pricing

those wine bottles encased in leather." "You mean decanter. Wine comes in

a bottle, it can be served in a decanter." "Yeah, yeah. I thought if I

got the bottle you could get some good wine, something with a cork, for

inside the bottle." "That's a nice idea (ugh!), but I'm working on

something kind of differant for Mom." "Really. Wanna let me in on it? Come

on tell me!" "Ok, ok, it's kind of of esoteric and ephemeral." "Roger,

translate. I wasn't 4th in my class." "I'm going to give her - a moment!"

...pause... "Still not understanding you, Rog. You mean like you're

going to take her to dinner or fix her breakfast in bed?" "No, no, I said

a moment, not an hour." .....longer pause............ "Roger, dad gives her

moments! What are you sayin'?" "Hah, hah, still a filthy mind. Don't

those Christian Brothers at Lewis address that?" "No, actually those Irish

CB's are quite earthy themselves. We tend focus on the human side of man's

nature. They're not like your Jesuit bluebloods with their spiritual

"think tanks". By the way, how many Angels are fitting on the head of a

pin these days?" "Very amusing, brother. But, I do have a great plan. Do

you remember Mom talking about her grandmother, GG's Mom?" "No, not at

all." "Well, I've talked about her with Mom and Mom tells me that she was

really nice, but she only spoke German. Mom actually knew enough German

for them have conversations. She say's that they often sang together."

"Ok, ok, I'm still wondering about your gift - the big moment." "Well, you

should try and figure it out. No need to worry, though, on Christmas Eve

I'll let you in on it!" 



        As Christmas approached I would tease Roger. "Roger, Roger how's

your moment coming? You can still get in on the decanter\wine present.

You don't really want to give something that's gone in a snap, do you?"

Then Roger would look down his nose at me and say, "Have your fun. Just

pay attention to me on Christmas Eve. You won't want to miss this. And

no, I don't want to be a partner to your leather wine vessel."



        That Christmas Eve I kept one eye on Roger. We took our tour of

Griffith's Christmas decorations punctuated by our annual visit at the

convent, while Mom stayed home arranging Santa's gifts. When we came home

everything was normal. The house was full of laughter, colors, smiles,

people coming, food, hugs, people going, bedlam and goodwill. It was

Christmas Eve at the Gerdes'.



        Above the din, Roger, was able to catch my eye. He mouthed to me,

"Watch Mom!" He dropped the needle on our phonograph and the beautiful

voices of a German children's choir filled the air. The music wasn't so

loud that it overpowered the room, it was just slightly above the noise

of Christmas. Roger, had set the volume perfect. The choir was singing a

German Christmas Carol - "Obern Kirchen". We were both watching mom. She

lifted her head and her ears picked up the German Carol. Through her eyes

you could see her traveling back... back... back. Then she started coming

forward, the three year old girl living inside her started shining through

her eyes and then the little girl took over mom's face. It was beautiful.

Her eyes were full of wonder as she looked out into the room, but she was

no longer in our living room at our Christmas. She was transposed back to

her Grandmother's apartment and she was looking at their Christmas as she

silently sang along with the music, smiling like only a three year old

can. She was radiant!



        Then the moment passed. She was back in 1972. Roger went up to

her, whispered in her ear and then he gave her a kiss. He had truly given

her - a moment. I just stared for a while. I thought how fortunate I was

to have been to be a witness to Roger's gift.



        Maybe one of us will be lucky enough this Christmas to let the

three year old living inside each of us come out for a while. Even if it

is only for - a moment!



        ......Merry Christmas.......love.......craig.....