Someone asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I had to admit that I just didn’t know. All of my focus this year has been on making sure the kids receive gifts and though there’s plenty of stuff I want, I just hadn’t even thought I might receive gifts, too. Of course this had me thinking…
First and foremost, I want my kids to have all of their needs met. Luckily, we’re able to continue doing this with the help of others occasionally. Food, clothes, and shelter with heat and running water are being maintained for the time being. No greater gift than that, right? Unfortunately, we don’t know how long the shelter part will be available. Our mortgage payment hasn’t been paid since August because our total monthly income has been less than the mortgage since then. We’ve managed to cover everything else (Thank God!) but we owe the mortgage company an astronomical amount of money right now…on January 1st, we’ll be about $5000 behind and I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to make up such a huge deficit. So if I had to choose one thing, it would be to a) get that mortgage caught up and b) earn enough money to maintain it from here on out. Luckily that second wish is within our grasp with my husband’s new part time job and the job opportunities I now have. And we’re hopeful that the mortgage company will work with us on that first part…it would be great if we could stay in our home and minimize the upheaval to the kids.
But frivolously? What would I ask for if there was a magical dude in a red suit who gives gifts to not just children, but adults who need a little something? That’s a bit harder, but the number one thing I would like to have is an electric blanket. Crazy, right? But with the recent bone-chilling cold and the need to keep our thermostat low so we can afford the electric bill, my bedroom (the coldest room in the house) has been absolutely arctic at night. Even sleeping in sweats and fuzzy socks doesn’t keep me warm. Electric blankets are pretty expensive, if you can even find them…and for a king size bed they can cost as much as $100. A cheaper alternative would be a small space heater, something that we could turn on long enough to warm the room up before we go to bed so it’s a bit easier to get comfortable and go to sleep. A warm bed would be a lovely Christmas gift!
As for the other things I want, they’re unimportant. There’s a long list of things that I’ve wanted for a while and haven’t gotten due to cash flow problems but the truth is they just don’t matter much to me any more. I’ve learned what’s really important in life and that is a true gift. My faith, my family, and love sustain me on the days when I start thinking life can’t possibly get worse. With those three things I know I can face anything. My hope for you this Christmas is that you experience the same gift. Merry Christmas, and thanks for reading, commenting, and sending your prayers and good wishes to me and my family!
