“Best Christmas Present”
I couldn’t believe how packed the mall was. Then again, I shouldn’t have been surprised at the same time. It was December 23rd, the whole town was at the mall tonight. Not just the last minute shoppers, but also people enjoying the carols playing through the speakers, the gingerbread cookies at the coffee shop, and the glowing Christmas lights.
The whole mall seemed to shimmer in red, green, and white. The glow filled my heart with Christmas cheer and reminded me to keep going, don’t let the weariness take over. I had to keep moving and finish shopping. But I could enjoy the place at the same time.
I had to get something else for the kids. Now that my boss decided I had earned a bonus after all, two more gifts had to be bought. And now. While I still had the money in my account.
My kids — Irene and Carl — were good kids. Always willing to help and usually willing to do their schoolwork, they needed something more for Christmas. But what? I glanced at the mall directory one more time, but could not seem to keep the map in my head. I decided a quick stroll was in order.
I walked for about five minutes under the twinkling lights while humming the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and dodging fellow shoppers. Where was that toy store? And why can’t I calm down? I kept going for a bit longer and still could not seem to relax.
I had to force myself to calm down. I found a seat in front of “Teddy’s Coffee and Desserts” and took a deep breath. Did I need a snack? No, I just finished a peppermint candy cane on the drive over here. I took a deep breath. The radio was now playing Silent Night so I sat there and just listened.
My mom always liked that song. It also reminded her that despite our situation, the true meaning of Christmas was Jesus, and His birth is why we are celebrating. I will miss her dearly.
I then realized that I wouldn’t be getting a Christmas card from my mom. We always made sure to exchange cards and gifts, since I was a teenager. And here I am, trying to have Christmas without that. The tradition cannot go on. Would I even get a Christmas card this year? Or a present?
No, parents do not always get presents or Christmas cards. Still, up until now I made sure to get one to my mom every year and she sent one to me. Even with her living down south and I’m far away from her and up north, we were always able to do this. And here I am, away from her. No one will miss her more than I…
I tapped on the table to remind me to hold back the tears. It wasn’t quite working so I shook my head vigorously, and put my fist into the table. I did not want to cry, and this was not the place to do it in. I jumped back up and walked away.
I’m going to have to ask someone for help. Yes, a friendly staff member around here, somewhere. I looked ahead of me. Two boys running out of a comic book store, one of them nearly tripped. Wait, can’t I shop there? No, my kids are too young for comics. Who else is here? An expensive clothing shop, that won’t help. A mom rocking her young baby. Bad idea! And look, Santa Claus and his elves.
Hold on, Santa and his people are usually friendly. Or at least they pretend to be. Yes, I will go them!
I looked at the fat man in red, but he was busy with a line of kids. Maybe one of his elves? Sure, I saw a young woman in front of “Santa’s Cottage,” maybe she can help me.
I went toward her and then realized, this woman was playing paddleball.
“Excuse me?” I inquired. The female elf did not seem to here. “Excuse me, I need help with something.” She kept hitting the paddleball. To be fair, she was starting to get the rhythm of it. And my mom liked paddleball when she was a little girl, so I couldn’t be too mad at her. Still, I need to get my shopping done. I patted her on the shoulder. She looked up, startled.
“Oh, hello! Sorry, I did not see you there.” I smiled.
“That’s alright, would you happen to know where the closest toy store is?”
“Sure,” said the young woman, “Just go past this escalator and make a right. It’s a few stores away from there.”
“Thank you.” I started to leave but she spoke.
“I owe you an apology. This job lets us play with toys to sort of, sell them to the kids. And here I am playing with this paddleball when you needed help. I’m sorry, it’s just that I had to give it a try since my mom loved paddleball as a kid, and now that she recently passed away…I –”
“Your…mom recently passed away?” She nodded. I hugged her right there in front of everyone and could not hold back the tears. She wailed a time or two as well.
“I’m sorry…” I said, then quickly moved away and wiped my eyes. “My mom just left us as well.” The woman dressed as an elf, frowned and lowered her head.
“This is very difficult for you, then. For us.” We both nodded. Another tear left my right eye.
“Thank you,” I said. This stranger and my friend for a moment, nodded reassuringly.
“No problem. In fact, it felt good to let that out,” she said. I nodded again. I thanked her and started to leave but stopped.
“There’s something else,” I said. She looked back at me gently. “Before she died my mom and I made a pact. We agreed that when we died and made it to Heaven, we would find a way to let the other know that we are alright.” My friend’s mouth opened slightly as she placed her hand over her heart. “She loved paddleball as a girl, and here you are playing paddleball and you also just lost your mom. God used you to show me that my mom is okay. Thank you.”
I learned during this difficult, trying Christmas, that my mom really was okay. And that was the best Christmas present I could have gotten.
