What I Really Want for Christmas

Posted on December 16, 2021 by mitchteemley

My wife and I have reached that stage where we have to “share” our kids with their significant others’ families at Christmas. OK, OK, technically I suppose “their” families have just as much right to them as we do. But “their” families could at least have had the courtesy of relocating to our state city neighborhood (preferably next door). Anyway, the point is: our time with them is becoming increasingly limited and, therefore, more precious than ever, although this year will at least beat last year’s Merry Zoom-mas (“Hold your gift up to the camera so we can see it!”). So, faux curmudgeonlyness aside, when I read the following, it struck a major dad-chord with me:

What I Want for Christmas

~ Always and forever ~

♥ Dad

About mitchteemley

Writer, Filmmaker, Humorist, Thinker-about-stuffer
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87 Responses to What I Really Want for Christmas

  1. Mya says:
    December 16, 2021 at 11:32 am

    That pretty much sums it up!

    Reply
  3. ejstoo says:
    December 16, 2021 at 11:42 am

    That’s nice. Glad it is pleasant.

    More realistically, around here, I’d suspect that Christmas gatherings are likely to switch back to Online because we’ve had huge spikes in COVID. Some family Xmas are not as pleasant….rates of abuse etc increase. Some enjoy other holidays. Anyway, just some thoughts. To avoid drama, we got our own tradition of having our own day.

    Reply
    • mitchteemley says:
      December 16, 2021 at 11:58 am

      I completely understand, Jean. May you experience unexpected joy, circumstances notwithstanding.

      Reply
      • ejstoo says:
        December 17, 2021 at 3:33 pm

        I don’t just do stuff once a year … it is an every day, year long. My problem is that society puts huge expectations on one day of the year. Charity often gets the most at this time of year and forgotten the rest. People are put under so much pressure that they have fights and abuse goes up. It is too much to put on one day, that isn’t even the real actual date that it is supposed to represent. Then there is the created stuff that makes it so people who can’t afford it feel bad. It’s what it costs and causes that I have trouble with. Everyone should be free to have their own beliefs, but it seems that we still take a my way or highway approach. That’s the only thing I have against it. We shouldn’t have being ‘good’ only one time a year and it has been years and years of seeing it. Hope this makes it clearer. Nothing against the season or holiday, but not the only game in town and not always used the way it should.

        Reply
    • uscan64 says:
      December 18, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      There is no Covid. It’s a made up lie for people like you to think it actually exists. Try doing some of your own research instead of listening to the tv or believing everything the governments tell you.

      Reply
  5. rwfrohlich says:
    December 16, 2021 at 11:46 am

    Yes, those are the things I really want as well. Just be here, and talk to me about your life.

    Reply
  6. alison41 says:
    December 16, 2021 at 11:57 am

    Absolutely on the button. Couldn’t agree more. A wonderful post.

    Reply
  7. yakpro2015 says:
    December 16, 2021 at 12:10 pm

    Hey Mitch,Thank you for this. It really hits the nail on the head. Have a blessed Christmas.Oh, and BTW why not invite the “other sides” to come to your place to celebrate? It could be a bit crowded but it will be filled with love and happy memories.Have a blessed Christmas and New Year!always,Joe

    Joseph Yakovetic 4480 Powderhorn Place Drive Clermont, Florida 34711

    mobile: 909.241.6088

    SDG Soli Deo Gloria “To God Alone the Glory”

    Reply
    • mitchteemley says:
      December 16, 2021 at 1:26 pm

      We’re actually doing Christmas, Part Two with one of the “other sides” on Boxing Day, actually (they only live a couple of hours drive away). But the other “other side” is split between to states, so that one’s a stretch. Thanks, Joe, and a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year to you and the fam, as well!

      Reply
  8. seekingdivineperspective says:
    December 16, 2021 at 12:12 pm

    Thanks, Mitch. I forwarded this to all three of my kids. 💕
    We got past the season of giving “stuff” a while back. Some of our best gifts have been tickets – concerts, theater, etc. I finally had the perfect gift for my sweet daught-in-law a couple of Christmases ago – two tickets to a Broadway play she really wanted wanted to see. She was going to drive to Louisville BY HERSELF, and we were just going to enjoy some “girl time” while our son watched the kids. But that was for the third weekend in March (2020), so you know what happened to that plan… 💔

    Reply
    • mitchteemley says:
      December 16, 2021 at 1:29 pm

      Ahhhh, sounds like it would have been a wonderful time, Annie! A re-take is definitely called for–when it’s possible again. Merry Christmas, whatever form it takes this year!

      Reply
  9. CommonSenseTom says:
    December 16, 2021 at 12:30 pm

    What a great daditude, Mitch. Year-round quality family time together; all gift wrapped in love. It certainly doesn’t get any better than that.

    Reply
  10. Wynne Leon says:
    December 16, 2021 at 12:32 pm

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  11. Rosaliene Bacchus says:
    December 16, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    My sentiments entirely!

    Reply
  12. robstroud says:
    December 16, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    Mitch, you’ve offered another wonderful post that echoes my own feelings. Isn’t it great when people like us, and the author of this original message have children who are making such good choices in their own lives that we can say this to them?

    As for “sharing” our kids with their other relatives, we’ve learned to approach it with joy that they have strong bonds with their in-laws. This year, for example, we’re celebrating our family Christmas get-together this Sunday, the 19th. It’s still Advent, of course, but on Sunday it will be Christmas for the Stroud clan!

    Reply
  13. Nancy E. Head says:
    December 16, 2021 at 1:26 pm

    I assert that, once you are a parent, the most wonderful sound to you is your child laughing. And that never changes. Great post, Mitch, filled with truth.

    Reply
  14. anitashope says:
    December 16, 2021 at 1:29 pm

    Awesome and much agreed upon for Moms too. My problem is that I am the one that moved…for work and then have stayed. I have a grand child I have never seen except through electronic devices. And then there was Covid, another reason to not travel…maybe one day. Merry Christmas.

    Reply
  15. ruthsoaper says:
    December 16, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    Exactly! I have to reblog this.

    Reply
  16. ruthsoaper says:
    December 16, 2021 at 1:51 pm

    Reblogged this on Don't Eat It! Soap and Skin Care and commented:
    This post shared by a fellow blogger expresses my feelings so well that I needed to share it. The only change would be to sign it – Love MOM.

    Reply
  18. revruss1220 says:
    December 16, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    Awww. That brings a tear to my dad eye. That’s exactly MY wish list, too!
    Blessings to you and your spouse and family, Mitch. I hope you get every one of those things on the list.

    Reply
  19. radiosarahc says:
    December 16, 2021 at 2:13 pm

    Ah, this is lovely, sudden urge to go down to my mum’s.
    Merry Christmas

    Reply
  20. Glenn Riffey says:
    December 16, 2021 at 2:14 pm

    Seems like a number of us suffer from the same holiday blues. I, too, am in the same song. Well, at least we are not alone in this…

    Glenn

    Reply
  21. Kate Duff says:
    December 16, 2021 at 2:35 pm

    Brilliant.

    Reply
  22. artsandletters9 says:
    December 16, 2021 at 3:00 pm

    First my tablet is going haywire, so, forgive me if this is a duplicate you are approving during my rewrite. The blog went straight to my heart. My adult children are a HUGE blessing from God. They both live closer to you than me in NYC and Chicago. If this is possible, you both deepened and lightened my day. Merry Christmas Mitch.

    Reply
  23. Liz Gauffreau says:
    December 16, 2021 at 4:15 pm

    I couldn’t have said it better myself!

    Reply
  24. Geoff Stamper says:
    December 16, 2021 at 4:36 pm

    That’s so great that your adult children ask you what you want for Christmas.

    Reply
  25. Cherryl says:
    December 16, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    Beautiful, awww 😥😊

    Reply
  26. Jennifer Arimborgo says:
    December 16, 2021 at 5:35 pm

    Aww yeah. Deeply felt I know. Rich blessings on you and your family this Christmas, Mitch 😊🎄

    Reply
  27. Tricia Sankey says:
    December 16, 2021 at 5:41 pm

    My dad tells me the same! Dads are special! 💓

    Reply
  28. Liz says:
    December 16, 2021 at 6:12 pm

    “curmudgeonlyness” – my next word of the day. My Dad has been gone for 18 years, still miss him. Lovely post, Mitch.Thank you. Here’s to zoom-less, love-filled holidays to you and yours.

    Reply
  29. Andrew Reynolds says:
    December 16, 2021 at 6:37 pm

    Recently two of my grandsons (ages 20 and 17) called me and asked for advice on what to get their Gran for Christmas. They where thinking of a thing, but I told them time was the best gift – give her your time. Now, one has flown in from out of state and the pair of them are taking her out to a fancy restaurant for dinner. Couldn’t have thought of a better gift.

    Reply
  30. pastorpete51 says:
    December 16, 2021 at 7:43 pm

    Yes we have adult kids and grandkids who we grudgingly share with the outlaw’s too. Fortunately we really all get along great and understand(usually!) Great post Mitch. Love the new word!

    Reply
  31. stolzyblog says:
    December 16, 2021 at 9:20 pm

    true, true, true. Enjoying such a nice rapport with my son these past two years, who keeps coming by and asking me questions. Dreading the day his individuality crystallizes and steers him elsewhere.

    Reply
  32. Piano girl says:
    December 16, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    All the mom feels over here. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  33. Harshi says:
    December 16, 2021 at 11:34 pm

    Awwww….that really warmed my heart! Merry Christmas Mitch to you and your lovely family.

    This is indeed a beautiful message and I’ve realised that one doesn’t need a Season of Hohohoh or Deepawali to follow it. Yet, it comes at the right time as a great reminder.
    Thanks for sharing it!

    Reply
  34. seeingliketheeagle says:
    December 17, 2021 at 2:42 am

    That actually made me cry 😢 (in a good way).

    Reply
  35. whitehairgrace says:
    December 17, 2021 at 10:59 am

    I have two radical introvert sons, ages 52 and 55. Any outreach from them is pure gold. Being an introvert as well, I’ve figured that we’ve all learned to pace ourselves and do the best we can – and to be grateful for the times we do come together. So when we do come out of our shells, it’s especially sweet.

    Reply
  36. Ann Coleman says:
    December 17, 2021 at 4:17 pm

    Perfectly said, that’s what moms want too! And I’m glad you’ll get to see them in person this year.

    Reply
  37. pkadams says:
    December 17, 2021 at 7:06 pm

    Yes, no gifts, just please don’t stop coming home to visit.

    Reply
  38. ganga1996 says:
    December 18, 2021 at 10:21 am

    This all parents need from their adult kids! Adult kids need to understand that they are still Mom and Dad’s little ones. My Mom never imagines me that I am in my forties and I really like it. Hope you get your gift. Merry Christmas 🎄!

    Reply
  39. craig sabin says:
    December 18, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    What a wonderful post, Mitch! Really hit home with me and I’m sure with every parent of grown children. So glad you shared it. It’s especially difficult when life’s circumstances take our children to live at a distance. Anyway, may you have a blessed Christmas!

    Reply

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  42. Dawn Pisturino says:
    December 22, 2021 at 9:26 pm

    This is a beautiful letter,

    Reply
  43. Marlapaige says:
    December 22, 2021 at 10:32 pm

    Oh wow. This made me think of my mom. It’s beautiful.

    Reply
  44. simi says:
    December 23, 2021 at 12:12 am

    This was so emotional!!! I remembered my father. We share this kind of closeness very rarely. But I cherish and look forward to more opportunities with my father… Thank you for this post❤

    Reply
  45. Steve Beckham says:
    December 24, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    This hits the nail right on the head, Mitch. I forwarded it to my kids. We’re blessed in that we get to be with them often. Thank you for sharing this. And may all the blessings of Christmas land like snow on you and your family.

    Reply
  46. themeonnblog says:
    December 24, 2021 at 9:02 pm

    This is beautiful!

    Reply
  47. skyblueseagreen says:
    December 28, 2021 at 1:01 pm

    Yes, well said! I experience that kind of loss of togetherness as well, and then I remember when I was 30-something with two small children. Did I go out of my way to regularly contact my out-of-town parents outside of the holidays? No. Shame on me. But remembering that helps me understand why I get less “attention” than I’d like! God bless ’em! Just keep praying.

    Reply
  48. Jorge Medico says:
    December 29, 2021 at 6:02 pm

    Couldn’t have said it better myself 🙂 Hope your kids listen.

    Reply
  49. Linda Raha says:
    January 1, 2022 at 4:37 pm

    Beautiful post!!! It pretty much says it all!

    Reply
  50. travellingtherese says:
    January 2, 2022 at 2:15 am

    My hubby and I absolutely related to this – and have passed it onto friends!

    Reply
  51. kayranft says:
    January 2, 2022 at 9:51 pm

    My husband and I are blessed to have our two daughters and their families living in the same city as us, but I can completely understand this heartfelt message to your kids. Even though our kids live nearby, they don’t always share these things with us. So, yes, I can relate. So we try to never take for granted the time they do spend with us, especially the holidays.

    Reply
  52. Evelyn C Krieger says:
    January 9, 2022 at 10:08 am

    Spending money on airfare, making a long car trip, traveling with young kids–these are all appreciated gifts to spend time with Mom & Dad. No box required. No returns needed.

    Reply

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