It’s the beginning of the holiday season, and it will be a tough one for many people because of the economy. I can’t help but think back to a time not too long ago when, then, as now, things were not so affluent. I was married, but our marriage was crumbling under the weight of too little effort being put into it, as well as money being tight. We had just purchased a new house (not one of our best decisions) and we had two little ones to feed.
I remember it was a cold, gray winter day in the Midwest. You know the ones…that bleak, damp cold that seeps into your bones. The overcast sky colored the mood of most people during those economic struggles. I was tired from working all day and was not looking forward to going home, making dinner, cleaning up the kitchen, trying to figure out how to pay bills, helping my son, Jason with his homework and then sending him and his little sister, Kelly off to dream of a Santa that was stretched to the limits. But you do what it takes to love, feed, and help your children dream. I think dinner ended up being macaroni and cheese, but frankly, they were happy.
As I paid the bills, or tried to, the typical arguments ensued with each adult pointing the finger at the other, but both being equally responsible for the position that we were in in an economy that was flailing. Our daughter, Kelly, was too young to understand, and so she cuddled next to me for security from the arguments. Our son, Jason, wanted me to help him make his Christmas list to Santa. And my heart is breaking for all of us.
While holding Kelly, I tried to explain to Jason that these were tough times and that, along with everyone else, Santa was struggling. Christmas gifts, as well as family gifts, would be few and far between. With a heavy heart, I looked down at an extremely solemn little boy. I did my best to find that balance of not crushing his dreams of Santa bringing him the complete set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but not wanting him to be disappointed either.