Merry Christmas to those who make Christmas happen

My mother used to torture my brother and I on Christmas morning. 

We’d wake up early in the morning, no matter what time the excitement of Christmas Eve had faded and we had finally fallen asleep. We didn’t fall asleep, really, but passed out. My parents forbade us from entering the living room on Christmas morning until permission was granted. 

Long before the sun rose, I’d shout across the house until my parents were awake, not that hard of a task, because I grew up in a doublewide trailer. Even after they were up, I was not to set foot close to the loot left under the tree by Santa until a fire was burning in the fireplace, a fresh pot of coffee was brewed and most importantly, the camera was loaded with film. 

After what seemed like an eternity, I was beckoned to the living room. There were cheers and yells of joy and the triumphant brandishing of long-wished-for gifts, all captured for eternity by an Olympus point and shoot. When the flurry of excitement died down, my father would relinquish the camera and arm himself with pocket knife, screwdrivers and an assortment of batteries (all conveniently stashed arm’s length from his favorite chair) and assist with opening packaging and boxes. 

Then my parents took a nap, while new toys and games were broken in. By midmorning, it was off to my grandparents for a Christmas feast, followed by the exchange of more gifts. 

The most wonderful time of the year comes with a lot of work; there’s the decorating, the shopping, the wrapping and, ever-increasing in importance as I get older, the meal prep and cooking. A merry Christmas doesn’t just fall out of the sky, it comes with a lot of stress and pressure on families, even if you like to keep things simple and in tune with the true reason of the season. 

It’s something I didn’t really appreciate until I had a family of my own and a proper share of Christmastime chores, and I’m happy to admit that the adult side of Christmas is just as enjoyable as the kid side. 

So, let’s forget about Santa, the jolly fat man who gets more credit than he deserves, and here’s to the ones that make Christmas happen: To the mothers who set a picture-perfect scene, even if they did it in October; to the grandmothers who host giant families and make sure everyone has their favorite meal; to the dads who stay up late putting bicycles and dollhouses together and install batteries in gadgets (and set up new phones, gaming systems and other electronic devices for the older kids); and let’s not forget the grandpas just along for the ride and enjoying their second childhoods. Everyone has their place and an important job to do. 

However, you pass the festive days ahead, may it be with those you love and cherish and who help make Christmas happen.