Home for the Holidays
Reader's Digest India|December 2022
Five heartwarming stories of Christmas memories that celebrate the comfort of family and remind us to treasure each other
Peter White
Home for the Holidays

The Christmas That CHANGED ME

My parents paid far more than they could afford for the greatest gift of my life

 IT'S EIGHT O'CLOCK on Christmas morning, and Uncle Tom says he Lwants to listen to the news. My 11-year-old self is wondering why on earth grownups would be interested in the news when there are important things to be done, such as handing out presents. And then, while I am only half-listening to the radio broadcast, something weird happens: The boring newsreader begins talking about a Christmas message from the Vatican. Hadn't we heard that report earlier? My older brother, Colin, figures out what’s happening. “Pete, Pete, it’s a tape recorder! We’ve got our tape recorder!”

It finally dawns on me: Uncle Tom and my dad recorded the news, and are playing it back now.

I think it’s quite rare to experience real excitement over a present. Children are as good as adults at knowing what is expected of them and simulating joyful surprise, even when they don’t feel it. But for me this was one of those rare moments when my insides gave an involuntary lurch and the world did a little somersault.

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