The gift of the magi.

I’ve been sitting on this O. Henry-esque story for a year.  Obviously last Christmas was lacking for our family.  For all of the reasons. One bright spot was having Matthew back at home.  Even though his work schedule, and Paul’s work schedule were not lining up for lots of quality brother time, or over all family time it was nice to have everyone around.

I tried, but could get no commitment from the boys on helping me decorate the house.  Paul assured me that probably no one was decorating because it just didn’t feel like christmas.  Matthew said he was working so much all he wanted to do was rest.  When I suggested maybe a holiday movie, I got shot down again.  Ok fine.

Then about a week before Christmas the schedules aligned and both boys were off on the same day.  They decided to go do some holiday shopping together away from prying parental eyes.  I suggested to Kathleen that clearly they were choosing that option to avoid spending time with me.  She suggested I stop pouting and over myself.  

As the day approached, Matthew shared with Kathleen and I that he knew Paul was not really feeling the Christmas spirit, and that was not like his brother.   His plan for their day together was just to really go and do it up, and do the fun holiday things to really cheer his brother up, and that was really the best gift he could give to his brother.  Oh, my heart!  I just wanted to grab him and hug him, but he already thinks I am a weirdo so I refrained.

Paul works overnight so I had to go pick him up the next morning and as we were on the way home, he shared that he was looking forward to spending some quality bro time with Matthew.  I agreed that it sounded like a good idea.  Then he said, you know Matthew has had a really hard year.  My plan for today is just to really have a good time, and do all the fun holiday stuff with him, to try and put him in the holiday mood.

Someday’s I might be Santa, and other days I’m the grinch.  And, yet, however, every single day I am blessed to be the father of those boys.

Zuzu’s petals y’all, Zuzu’s petals.