What is on your Christmas List

A Different Kind of Wish List

Ya know…I'm actually a deep thinker. It would come as a surprise to many. Especially the ones who only know the goofy, loud, in your face, obnoxious Kathy.

Tonight I surprised my sweellacious friend Jewel a phone call. Her & her hubbykins are having another baby. They already have one perfect lil guy & this new blessing will be absolutely perfect! We talked for a good hour & a half. Talking about the upcoming babykins, our hubby's, grade school days, economy, religion, numerous other things & Christmas. Of course we spoke of Christmas!!! You can't talk to me this time of year & NOT have Christmas come up in conversation.

We spoke of gifts & what we'd like. Neither of us had "things" on our list. I think she was surprised when I told her what I "wanted" She said. "Your favorite holiday is Christmas & you don't want presents?" I'm not going to lie. I do like receiving gifts…but I don't expect them. Then I thought about my fantastical friend Brandy who instills giving to others in her children. She totally wrote a blog about it…made me tear up…cuz I'm an emo like that.

I went on to tell Jewel I'd love to have a new bookcase. I actually need one for my upteen books. There is no possibility of throwing books out either. I can read a book several times. Books rock my world. They are my "nic nacs" I'd also like jammies. I get them every year. The selfish side of me would be sad if I didn't get jammies on Christmas Eve. My Mom always gave me jammies then. But seriously, that's all I really want. Sure there are things that I think would be nice to have….but are they necessary???

It's been a few hours since my phone call with Jewel & this is what I've compiled on my Wish List:

To be surrounded by my family & friends

When my 15yr old brother gives me a hug & tells me he loves me always rocks my socks. What 15yr olds do that?

To see my nieces & nephews & see Christmas through their eyes

To host a game night with friends

A sledding, hot cocoa, yummy treat eating bonanza

To revisit fading memories of my Mom & Dad. It's been 23yrs since I've had a Christmas with Mom. Dad's 23rd anniversary is next month. Even though he was alive for the Christmas after Mom passed he was not "there" The memories fade as the days go by…but every now & then there's a reminder & it all comes back…it's those moments I cherish this time of year.

And there is one more…It's what I wish the most….I wish this every year….I would absolutely love, more like it would be a dream come true if I could meet the police officer who saved my life when I was 5 days old. There is no police record of it happening. It was August 30, 1975 & the Mayor of Manistique hit us head on. This officer gave me CPR & brought me back…and for that I am eternally grateful. I have experienced a lot of pain, went through my fair share of not too swell times. But you know what? I have had the best times too!! I had the opportunity to have loving parents, oodles upon oodles of siblings, nieces & nephews, cousins, aunts & uncles, friends & my one & only hubby Ken. I have seen the states, waded in the ocean, climbed small mountains out west, walked on the Great Salt Lake when the water was evaporated. I have gone camping & ran with my dogs. I have seen sunsets that have made me cry…for real. I have seen Eagles fly & heard train horns, I have had the privilege of being pregnant, if only for a short time by the most amazing man that exists, I have had the grief of losing ones I love. Those losses have taught me to love deeply & not take life for granted & to be humble & compassionate. I have been abused by an old man…it taught strength & to appreciate my body. I have laughed till I cried & cried till I laughed. I have witnessed the birth of my niece…the miracle of life…even though I am unable. I have had the amazing opportunity to meet new people & learn to crochet. I have felt kittens kick in my cats belly…something I would never experience in my own, I have been blessed with amazing in-laws who love my punk ass. I have ridden my bike in a rain flooded Sheridan Road, I have experienced the coughs & gags of smoking that 1st cigarette, I have laid on a blanket staring in the sky wishing upon stars to one day meet this man… so much has been experienced….. All this because a man, a hero decided a 5 day old baby was worth saving. It's the least I could do to give him a proper thank you…and even then, it's not enough. So yeah….meeting this man is always on my Christmas wish list and my birthday list. This one man has given me so many gifts that no Christmas gift could ever hold a candle to….

What's on your wish list this year???