The Only Gift I Really Want For Christmas

A friend recently challenged a group of us to write down what we would most like to have in our Christmas stockings this year.

I gave her challenge a lot of thought, and finally decided that the best thing I could possibly get in my Christmas stocking this year is a very extra-ordinary cellphone.

If you knew me personally, that request might surprise you, because I hate cellphones. My husband purchased a tracfone once and the job of figuring out how to even make a simple call to a friend was, in my opinion, a colossal waste of time. And, when I did finally get connected, the party on the other end sounded as though they were speaking to me from deep down in a well. I'll take a good old dial phone anyday.

But, according to the rules of the challenge, the gift I request must fit into a Christmas stocking so, this one time, for this wonderful and extra-ordinary gift, I will happily put up with modern cellphone technology, and here's why.

The cell phone I am requesting is one that has been pre-programed so only one person can call me on it; my Mother, who died 7 years ago.

I cannot describe the joy I would feel each time that phone rang. Answering it would take precedence over anything else I was doing so I could sit down with my Mom for one of our cozy little chats.

I would ask her all the things I didn't get around to asking her while she was alive and still living just 20 miles down the road from me. Over and over, I would tell her how much I miss her and probably always will. I would catch her up on all the things her family and friends have been doing since she left. I would listen to her tell me how she spends her days, and ask her why she doesn't call more often. I would ask her all those questions that I meant to ask her, someday, before it was too late.

Then, most of all, just before we said good-bye, I would tell her that I love her.