Fielder’s Choice

Christmas has really snuck up on me this year.

I can blame it on the late Thanksgiving.

But most likely it’s because the months and the years just go by faster when you reach your upper 50s.

We added a new stocking to our mantel this holiday season with daughter-in-law Brooke joining the Burlesons. She and Andy were married November

16.

Pam purchased the stocking last week and that led to a discussion about all our stockings. They bring back so many wonderful memories.

We particularly talked about how Emma’s has been the same since her first Christmas, in 1991.

The fond memories hold true via the ornaments on our tree, too. Those pretty much define the Burlesons and many of their loves and activities.

Pam’s and my recent 30th anniversary vacation to Palm Beach, we purchased a Christmas ornament as one of our souvenirs.

That has held true for pretty much every place we have ever traveled. It started with our honeymoon in New Orleans, La., in November 1989 – a red heart that reads “New Orleans Honeymoon.”

We’ve acquired many from Disney World, and lots from our many, many trips to the beach over the years.

We have some highlighting all our favorite sports teams and colleges, like USM from where Emma and Andy graduated.

There is the one dated 2003, when Erin was about to turn 2. It features The Wiggles, a children’s music group and her favorite as a baby. The reaction to that one is even more emotional this year – Erin will graduate from high school in May.

And there are some handmade by our children during their elementary years.

Of course, Christmastime and stockings and ornaments stir long-ago memories, too.

I remember going in search of “real trees” during the Christmases when we were growing up. We typically didn’t have to go far, as I grew up 12 miles from the nearest town. It seemed we were always surrounded by many good, rightsized cedars.

And I recall helping my mother and sisters put the ornaments on those trees, too.

Of course, there wasn’t as much variety in the ornaments as we experience today, but they were colorful and beautiful – and of course, special.

My favorite childhood memories are of walking softly from my bedroom on Christmas Eve, not waking my parents and peaking through the living room door to see if Santa Claus had left toys yet.

We didn’t have a lot back then, but we had all we needed and much more. At Christmastime and all year, I was blessed.

I loved Hot Wheels. And when I got that race track with the loops for my Hot Wheels, I thought it was the best gift ever. I played with it and played with it and played with it some more. I wore it out.

Today, at age 58, I still enjoy the gifts, not Hot Wheels, but shirts and jackets and sports memorabilia.

However, now, more than ever, I realize Christmas is more about the giving than the receiving. And that’s what God wants from us each and every day – to be loving, helping, caring and giving individuals.

From the Burleson family to your family, Merry Christmas!