It's a little early too be thinking about Christmas, I know, but a year-long search came to a whizz-pop-BANG end yesterday when I went to a local monthly market and found this treasure - Father Christmas' magical master key that can open any door in the whole wide world! No, really, it can - all the others are imposters! (I also bought five others. One will definitely be tasked with opening all the doors in Australia. The other four may have more local responsibilities!)
Christmas is such a special time of year and I really want T-Lo to feel the magic. This is in no way meant to diminish the true meaning of the occasion. Of course not. But I also believe that children should be encouraged and allowed to be... children.
I remember as a child how "Tinkerbell" used to check up on my sister and I during the year, leaving little trails of silver fairy glitter around the house. We heard tales of naughty children only being given rusty old tin cans full of stones for Christmas. I remember receiving a phone call from one of Father Christmas' elves... who strangely sounded very much like Mom speaking in a funny voice... but I could never prove it! And, yes, there were the obligatory cookies and glass of milk (or beer if one of our uncles was with us) on Christmas eve. We went to bed early, VERY early on Christmas eve and I remember trying to stay awake so that I might catch a glimpse of the fat old man in red pyjamas and a long white beard who, miraculously, could squeeze down chimneys AND climb back up them again... The most I achieved was staying awake long enough to hear the wrapping paper rustle, and promptly fell asleep.
The point is, Christmas was never just a 'thing' that happened at the end of the year. As it should be, it was like a silk thread that was woven through the year. By the time it eventually arrived, the atmosphere was electric. The mystery, the majesty. That's what I want to pass on!
