Christmas is Brand New Again

Yep! Never thought it could happen to me, but it has. And it's almost like being a kid again! That excitement churning in the pit of my stomach as I eagerly await the arrival of Christmas.

Why, at my.....ahem......mature age am I suddenly experiencing the child-like wonder and giddiness that surrounded the holiday season during my earliest years? It's simple really. I am now the proud grandmother of two small children--my very first Christmas as a grandmother. My daughter got married in October to a wonderful gentleman who is raising his son and daughter from a previous marriage. Magically, overnight, I was transformed from a feisty old broad, to a doting, loving grandmother who has acquired a tendency to spout gibberish when the subject of her grandchildren comes up in conversation.

And I love it! Somehow I always thought that becoming a grandma would qualify me as a member of the doddering, geriatric crowd. Imagine my surprise when I learned that I am still a feisty old broad--funny, unique, independent, blah, blah, blah--with a grandmotherly sparkle in her eyes that appears instantly at the mention of grandchildren. And, at that mention, I can, quite happily, pull out all my little Grandchildren Stories and bore everyone around me with stories of my own grandchildren and how very special they are.

And, what's more, when I do that, I can immediately pick out any other grandparents in the vicinity because it's like a secret radio signal goes out when you speak of your grandchildren. Other grandparents hone in on it and do that very same beaming thing that lights up my own face when I talk about my grandkiddies. And, for that time that we discuss them and compare their antics, any differences we have slip away, and we are simply Grandparents United, for at least a little while.

But I digress. Christmas has always been my very favorite holiday, but in recent years the shiney has worn off, ever since my father passed away. Try as I might, I wanted that giddy feeling back, but just could not seem to regain it. For the past 5 years or so it has been hovering just beyond my reach. So I was much surprised to find that, this year, it's as if my brand new grandchildren just plucked it out of the sky and deposited it in my lap. And since that moment, I have wondered at this glittering, sparkly thing called Christmas and found that holding it and anticipating its arrival is like being a kid all over again.

Amazing that all I needed for this to happen was to become a grandmother. Now I am busy shopping for gifts, planning everything quite carefully. Some gifts I am making--in the favorite colors of my grandkids, of course. All the gifts, while not electronic or titled Wii-anything are uniquely my own ideas of what I think they will enjoy and I am busily assembling them all, wishing fervently that despite their lack of technologically lofty names, my brand-new grandchildren will see that they are full of all the love I hold for them in my heart. As I watch them open my gifts this Christmas, I will just quietly beam, and say a silent 'thank you' that Christmas feels brand new again.