Best Christmas ever

I remember the Christmases of my youth, with the sneaking in to shake the wrapped gifts under the tree to see if we could guess what we were getting. The presents I remember best usually revolved around sports and sports equipment.

I also recall the late-night Christmases when my own children were young, staying up to wrap (okay usually watch my wife wrap) gifts for our kids in anticipation of the joy they would feel when they ripped open the paper.

Later in adulthood, I have some amazing memories of secretly giving to people around us who really had need. Also, there were years when we were the recipients of those clandestine gifts.

All of those stand out in my memory as great ways to celebrate the holiday season. Christmas 2012 topped them all, claiming the title of my “best Christmas ever.”

We were living in Utah at the time, with just our youngest daughter, who was in high school at the time, still living at home. We decided to fly to Pennsylvania to spend the holiday with my oldest son and his family. Josh had a special plan for that Christmas season.

It was freezing cold in rural Pennsylvania that December when we undertook a special family holiday project. My son’s in-laws live in a house that is well outside city limits, and his father-in-law has been confined to a wheelchair for many years.

Their home was missing a critical element for a man in a wheelchair. When they exited the home into the garage, there were a couple of stairs, but no wheelchair ramp.

We’re not exactly a handyman-qualified family, but Josh did the research, watched the YouTube videos, and then we (yes including me with zero experience or knowledge of any kind in that type of home maintenance project) commenced our Christmas construction project.

Multiple trips to Home Depot later, we managed to construct a reasonably sturdy ramp in the Sherwood garage. It was time of family bonding and connection, but mostly it was a chance to experience the true meaning of Christmas, to look outside the presents under our tree and find a way to do something for someone else.

That is what this holiday is all about. Connection, giving, gratitude, and a willingness to step outside my comfort zone a little bit. I don’t recall what anyone gave me in 2012, but I know what I received and that’s why it remains the best Christmas ever.