Christmas Magic ‘Time With Dad’

My favorite holiday memory involves a special Christmas I spent with my dad, my stepmom Dee, and my half-brother Joey.

My parents were divorced when I was 7 years old, so most of my life I lived in Spokane with my mom and two sisters. This particular year I was a freshman at the University of Washington, and my dad had moved to Auburn earlier in the year. Since dad had moved so close to Seattle, I asked to spend the holidays with him.

As soon as I finished my final exams, I was on my way to Auburn. I arrived not knowing what to expect because I had never really spent more than a few hours or so with them on holidays.

My little brother had just turned 3 and was learning who Santa was and what he did. He was very anxious all Christmas break and especially on Christmas Eve.

One of the neighbors had a Santa suit and decided to surprise Joey with a visit on Christmas Eve. He started by walking back and forth in front of the house, and my dad pointed him out to Joey. He ran to the door and called Santa into the house. He then became a little cautious as Santa approached the house.

When Santa entered, Joey kept his distance and said “Santa, I would like you to meet by brother Jam Jones (my nickname).” Little did he know that I had met Santa many times before in the mall.

Joey was afraid to sit on Santa’s lap and wanted me to sit with him and Santa on the couch. He finally mustered enough courage to sit on his lap and ask for a present, a playhouse. After a few minutes it was time for Santa to leave. Joey gave him a hug good-bye and then saw him on his way. This was just the start of the night’s activities.

My dad had informed me that he got a microwave for my stepmom for Christmas and asked if I would help him install it. I, of course, was delighted to help my father do anything and agreed.

I went to church that evening with my brother and stepmom while dad did some preliminary work on the microwave, drilling holes above the stove. We returned from Mass with no signs of work. It was getting late and time for Joey to go to bed. He reluctantly agreed after he set out some cookies and milk for Santa.

Now it was time to wait. Dad and I sat there watching TV, anxiously waiting for Dee to go to bed. She finally did and it was work time.

It was very tricky work installing a microwave above the stove without waking Dee or Joey. We quietly brought the microwave from the garage and unpacked the frame and oven. We started to put up the frame that was to hold the oven but then found that the holes in the wall didn’t match the frame. We needed to drill new ones.

My dad whipped out his Black and Decker and he kept his eye on the wall while I watched the door of the bedrooms, cringing the whole time, thinking that we would be caught. We finished drilling the holes and moved on to maneuvering the bulky microwave above the stove. We finished installing the gift without waking my stepmom.

My dad said I could go to bed or I could help him put Joey’s playhouse together. I had no intention of going to bed and stayed up a little longer to be with my dad. We finished the playhouse, then it was off to bed but not before playing Santa myself. I ate the milk and cookies left for Santa, being sure to leave some crumbs on the plate as evidence that Santa had eaten them.

The next morning we found that Santa had left a microwave for my stepmom and a playhouse for my little brother. I got my present the night before, spending time with my dad.