What would be the most wonderful gift you could receive? What items do you desire your Christmas wish list that are not available in any catalog? A poem by Don Mathis.

A phone call from my son. He could put my grandchildren on the line and they could babble happily, and I would exclaim, “Is that right?” and “Really?” I would talk to my daughter-in-law for a bit, then put my son back on the line. And when it was time to hang up, he would be the first to say “I love you!”

A card for my birthday. When I was a kid, I would get cards from my grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, and immediate family. Most of my extended family are dead and gone; no more cards and letters from them. It seems as my age increases, the recognition of my age decreases. Will I be remembered at all when I die?

The invincibility of youth, the assurance of immortality, the metabolism to consume three breakfast tacos every day (and not gain weight). I could stay up late, wake up early, and not get tired. My risk tolerance was low and my energy level was high.

The wisdom of my father. I miss his example of productivity, his advice on difficult decisions, and his encouragement to accomplish a task. Could that man in the mirror be a reflection of the lessons from my dad?

The way Christmas used to be. It was a time of innocence, a season of hopefulness, an era of possibility. Unless my memory is taking a holiday, there was less commercialism. The bounty of the food and the fellowship of extended family exuded thankfulness.

These desires remind me of the richness of my life.

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