A Beige Christmas

Dr. G. Michael Saunders, Sr.

One unusual Christmas almost the whole extended family was gathered in one place for the holidays. Great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, kids, aunts, uncles, close family friends, everyone was gathered in one place. We had a great Christmas Eve and then a very organized Christmas morning.

In our family all wrapped presents were under the tree in the den. But all unwrapped presents were from Santa. And of course, these were just for the children. Because there were four children this year their presents were left by Santa in the living room.

The kids got up at the crack of dawn but were under strict orders not to leave their rooms – and they were obedient. We had to wait for those not staying at the house to arrive. Then we had to wait for great-grandmother who had come from Brattleboro, VT. To get her seat in the living room. She was in her 90s. Then we had to wait for grandmother who had come from Jacksonville, to get her seat. And finally, all us parents with cameras had to get into place.

Just before the last of us went into the living room we gave the kids their assignments. Shannon (age 9), Santa left your gifts on the piano bench and around the piano on the floor. Mickey (age 9), Santa left your gifts on the couch. Jodi (7), Santa left your gifts on the love seat. And Adam (4), Santa left your gifts on the big beige easy chair. So with much happiness and joy we ran into the living room, took our places and called the kids in.

They came in walking slowly, a little intimidated by all the attention and cameras focused at them. But soon they were at their presents with cries of “look what I got!” and “Oh wow – let me see that!” filling the air.

However, Adam just stood at the door looking in. Adam is my youngest and as a single father I was immediately concerned that something wrong or that he was overwhelmed. So I went to him and said “Do you want to come get your presents?” He shook his head yes and I helped him weave through the crowd to his area. Of course his face lite up and he jumped in ful force and had a wonderful Christmas.

Ten years later, Adam was 14 and it was Christmas again. This year we lived in Miami and were just with our immediate family for the holidays. So we were all sharing and talking about our favorite Christmases past. The kids brought up this particular Christmas with happy memories except for Adam. Adam said it was almost his worst Christmas ever.

We were all very surprised and asked why. He said, “I was so excited and happy until Aunt Sherrill gave us our instructions about where our presents were.” “Why?” we asked again. “Because I had no idea what color beige was! I had no idea how to find my presents. And when I looked for them, and the room was so crowded, I couldn’t see where my presents were. I thought I didn’t have anything until dad came and got me.

Well, we all laughed as that “beige” Christmas did, ultimately, have a happy ending. But like a typical parent my heart cringed a little to think about his 4 year old Christmas struggle over the color beige that I was not even aware of. To this day, I make sure he never gets anything beige at Christmas (even though he knows what color it is now 🙂 ).