My Christmas Story

Five years ago I wrote this story. I never had the guts to show it to more than about three people. The names have been changed, but everything else is as it happened.

About two years ago, while browsing in an antique store, I came upon the most beautiful piece of furniture I have ever seen. In the store basement, leaning up against a wall as if forgotten, was a paprika-coloured divan. It had obviously been restored recently, and the carving on its feet was exceptional in its intricacy. It was love at first sight.

After speaking with the owner of the store, it was clear that my
relationship with this treasure would be a long distance one – the asking price was well beyond anything I could afford. Even if the store would accept monthly payments, I was certain my budget couldn't be stretched quite that far without feeding my kids cat food at least once a week for the next two years. And so, I let it go.

Because the office I work in is windowless, I try to get outside at least once every day. I often go with my friend Jude to hit the second-hand stores, she out of her need to feed her addiction to shopping, and I to find clothes that fit me as I continue to lose weight.

One day in November, wanting to avoid the clothing stores for a change, I suggested we pop into the antique store I had visited two years earlier. We browsed around upstairs for a while and then Jude suggested we go downstairs: the best bargains are often found in antique-store basements. I agreed, never dreaming the same divan would still be there after all this time. But as my eyes adjusted to the dim light, there it was, in the same place it had been two years before. I could hardly believe my eyes!

I chatted briefly with the shop owner before we left. She remembered me and said she was surprised I hadn't bought the piece. I told her that my husband and I have small children at home and I just couldn't afford it. She smiled at me and said she was always open to making a deal.

I went home that night and told the story of the divan to Hubby. He reminded me that we are hoping to move overseas and pointed out the high cost of shipping furniture. I agreed, and mentioned the impracticality of owning such a thing with small children around. We laughed at the idea of fencing it in so little hands couldn't ruin the velvet fabric. Once again, I let the divan go.

I focused most of my Christmas energy on the kids. At five and three, they are at perfect ages for the magic of Christmas. I listened carefully for the things they asked Santa for, and made sure we got them all. I took care to wrap the gifts from Santa in different paper from the presents from us.

Buying for Hubby was easy. He wanted a new winter jacket: we had gone shopping in early December and he picked one out that he absolutely loved. I wrapped it and put it under the tree along with a few other things from the kids and I.

Hubby had a more difficult time shopping this year. He wasn't really in the mood for Christmas, which made it all the more challenging. He had also second-guessed himself over just about everything, and had discussed all my gifts with me.

A lovely Christmas morning finally arrived. The children slept till almost eight. Hubby and I sipped coffee while we opened our presents and enjoyed watching the kids open theirs. We were all very pleased with what we got. Then I cooked our raditional Christmas breakfast (which I insist on) of boiled eggs and got ready to go to Hubby's mum's for Christmas dinner and to exchange gifts with her, Hubby's brother, and our two nieces.

One of the things Hubby had put in my stocking was a package of ketostix which are urinalysis strips that I use to determine whether I am doing well on my diet. (You pee on 'em and they change color: the darker purple they are, the more weight you are losing.) Before we left, he got me to use one and we were both surprised at how well I was doing.

When we got to his mum's, Hubby led me down a hallway. There are only two rooms down that hall, his mum's bedroom and the bathroom, where there's a scale I weigh myself on each time we are at his mum's. So, as he was rushing me down the hall, I asked him,"What are you doing, taking me to weigh myself?" In my head I was saying, "Gawd, lighten up with the diet thing on Christmas, willya?" But Hubby led me past the bathroom and threw open the door to his mum's bedroom.

There on the floor in front of me was the most beautiful paprika -coloured, velvet covered divan I have ever seen. It took me a split second to fully understand what I was seeing – then I was completely overwhelmed. I lost it. I burst into tears. I don't think I've ever been so completely surprised by anything or anyone in my whole life.

I know I've never been this loved before.