Joy: Christmas

Christmas was an amazing time to three year old Bobby Lundquist.  Getting presents was awesome.  Singing fun songs and dressing up was okay but he loved all the Christmas decorations.  The lights continually caught his eye.  His favorite part all was this man called Santa Claus.  How amazing that he delivered presents to boys and girls all over the world.  Tonight was Christmas Eve and his parents were going to let him stay up late.  He hoped to see Santa.

Once dinner was finished, his mom and dad let Bobby have a treat. He had rice crispy squares before at his school and he loved them.  He munched the morsel with his right hand as mommy led him by the left hand to his room while Christmas music played in the background.  He was sat on his bed and he continued making the square smaller and smaller.  Mommy was changing his clothes and he barely noticed what she was doing as he focused on the sweet taste in his mouth.  Once it was gone, mommy wiped off his hand and face and then changed his shirt.  This is when he noticed the pants he wore and the shirt about to go on. 

He groaned, “No, why do I have to dress up?”

“It’s Christmas and we want to take pictures of our handsome boy.”

To Bobby, play clothes were fun.  Dress up clothes were not.  “But mom, I wanna play, I don’t wanna be a handsome boy.”

“It’s just for a little while and we’ll let you play in your dress up clothes.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“But playing in dress up clothes isn’t allowed.”

“You’re right but we will make an exception this time, ok?”

Smiling, Bobby said, “Okay!”   Then he slid down from the bed.  He hopped and then ran to the Christmas tree letting out an unintelligible scream.  Was he trying to be a big scary animal or some machine?  His mother had no clue but her little man made her smile.  She walked to the master bedroom as her husband was exiting, dressed in a suit and tie.  She whistled and said, “You are quite the man, Mr. Lundquist.”

“Why thank you my lady.”

Then he looked into the living room and bellowed, “Where’s that little boy?  I want little boy for dessert!”

Bobby squealed, “You can’t find me, nanny nanny boo boo!”

The two played while mom got herself ready for Christmas pictures.  Bobby would hide until dad found him.  When found, dad scooped up the boy and carried him to the couch where he pretended to eat him up.  Bobby shrieked with delight laughing a full throated belly laugh.  Finally, mom came out and announced, “Ok boys, let’s get started.”

Dad looked at mom in her form fitting red dress and said, “Honey, you look wonderful!”

He got up intending to give her a kiss but Bobby rushed in between them and said, “No, no kissing.”

Dad said, “But we’re married.  We can do that.”

“Not if mommy says, ‘No.’  Say no mommy.”

“No.”

Bobby’s parents began by letting him open a present.  Dad took pictures as he opened it. After his parents opened presents Bobby was allowed to eat more rice crispy squares.  It was about this time dad mentioned something about bed time.  Bobby whined, “But you said I could stay up tonight.”

“Yes but it’s already past your bed time and Santa doesn’t come to houses when boys and girls are awake.  Do you want him to skip us?”

Bobby began to cry.  Mom looked at dad as they both recognized his over-tired cry.  Mom picked up the boy and he kicked and pushed her away but it was too late.  She had him and he knew he couldn’t get away.  The thought of going to bed now made him angry and he screamed.  Mom spoke to him sternly but he would have none of it. 

In a few short minutes, Bobby was in his pajamas and in bed.  Cries still filled his room.  By this time, daddy came in and began speaking softly to him.  He told stories of when he was little and Santa visited him and his brother.  Soon enough, Bobby was fighting to keep his eyes open.  He wanted so much to stay awake.  There was so much life to enjoy.  Finally, he succumbed and slumber sucked him in.   Dad bent down and tenderly kissed his forehead.  “Good night, little man.  Merry Christmas. I love you so much.”