Today, along with millions of other Americans, I made a last minute dash to the mall. Since Hanukah fell most improbably on Thanksgiving this year, and since I was too busy burning the turkey and side dishes to burn candles, we decided to celebrate Christmas instead. It will be a small celebration—my daughter is on call during her internship in Boston, and my older son works for the State Department in Washington, DC. Apparently world crises do not stop for Christmas, or any other holidays for that matter. So it will be a small crowd around the table—just my youngest son, my 88 year old father, and my husband and me. Who was it that said, “As we grow older, our Christmas list gets smaller as we realize the things we really want can’t be bought”?
I had already taken care of gifts for the rest of the family, but the motivation that drove me to the mall today was the question of what to get for Dad. He’s been very generous with me lately, helping shoulder the bill for the massive relandscaping project, and helping my daughter pay off her medical school loans. What does one give a (mostly) retired plastic surgeon who has already traveled to the far corners of the earth, who has driven fast cars (and instilled a love of them in me, his daughter), and who has spent the last year trying to pare DOWN his earthly possessions from the contents of two residences in Snowmass, CO and Houston, TX. What he wants, I can’t give him—the ability to play tennis and golf and to ski again, the ability to live at altitude without oxygen, the ability to regain his hearing, lost after a car accident, and a loving companion to keep him company as the years wear on. Unfortunately magic is not in my repertoire.
In the end, I spent a rather aimless two hours wandering through the maze of stores, rejecting fancy cufflinks, smelly colognes, silk ties, comfy slippers and expensive watches. I hesitated at Brookstone—there was a mini projector and a tripod which would enable PowerPoint presentations and the exhibition of literally thousands of slides, now converted to digital, of patients whose physical imperfections had been corrected long ago but whose emotional scars might linger on. In the end, I rejected the set up as too complicated—another technology to learn and forget. I bought a few small things, and got back in the car. As I neared home, I stopped in the local liquor store and bought him a nice bottle of Tanqueray and a perfect lime—his favorites. What do we all really want for Christmas? We want the health and happiness of our loved ones, and also, for me, my patients.
All I really want for Christmas is you—all of you. I hope you all have a wonderful day.
How lovely, how true. Brought tears to my eyes . I love reading your blog– this might be my very favorite . Thank you for sharing
Love
Laurie F
Thank you SO much Laurie! Every time I think I’ve run out of things to say, someone like you comments and spurs me on. I appreciate it. M
Much more than a Bon Mot, a lot less than a Treatise– what exactly is this? Perhaps a Declaration of Interdependence. In any case, well put, Dr. Fielding! We will have a wonderful day, thanks in no small part to you. And you as well, one hopes.
Great message and so very true. This year we are with my 89 year old mom and one of my sons. Plans for a dinner out and Church last night cancelled because mom’s back is out and she is can’t get off the couch. So we just spend time together and know at 89 how many more holidays there will be with mom. Maybe a slow lazy day is what we all needed. Merry Christmas to All. Savor the real importance of the Holiday – people not stuff. The STUFF – in the end – tends to strangle rather than soothe. Thanks M – we really will talk soon.
Beautifully put. Thanks for writing today. Love to you and yours!
If he likes fancy pants G&T’s, Hendrick’s & Bombay Sapphire are good top-shelf gins too. Enjoy the season!
Thank you for that lovely post! I might add another way of celebrating time together …FaceTime or Skype! Happy Holidays
Getting older really does make one condense down all the important things in life – time with those we love and whose company we enjoy. Memories shared can be very precious, especially if laughter is involved (as well it should be!).
BTW, I would get on with your Dad famously – can’t go wrong with good gin and limes! :>)
I agree with Laurie; this one is a favorite. Glad you got to spend the day with most of the men in your life – and that you appreciated the gift of their presence. What more could we ask for but another day and another memory with those we love.
You rock! Hope you had a beautiful Christmas.