Most people
agree that Christmas is the best time of the year. Not just for it’s religious significance, but
there is just something special in the air this time of the year. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Ripping Ramadan,
Kwazy kwanza, what ever you celebrate or
even if you celebrate nothing, people are just nicer this time of the year.
The great
thing about Christmas is, of course, getting presents. Now we all learned that it is better to give
than receive, and that is where my best gift ever comes.
The best
gift ever is not expensive. I have given
fur coats to wives who have left me for someone else within the month…not such
great gifts. I have given jewelry which
is nice, but it tires soon. Gifts to
children are wonderful, but within a week, they want more.
My greatest
gift was not one that I received, but one that I gave.
Keep in
mind, I do not send cards, Mrs. C does, I only address and lick envelopes under
protest. I do not give gifts to anyone
but close family and these days the gift is generally a check…and I am a little
cheap.
About 7
years ago, I was perusing the internet and this silly item appeared, a “Leg
Lamp.” If you are a fan of Jean Shephard,
or the Movie “A Christmas Story” you are familiar with the “Leg Lamp.”
“It’s a major award!”
Old friend
Frog and I were fans of Jean Shephard long before his movie became a classic, we were closet fans
of his radio show. Like many radio fans,
we stumbled onto his story-telling show and late at night listened intently while
parents expected us to be asleep.
Closet Shephard
fans only discovered that others also listened by chance. A casual mention of something and
“Oh wow! You listen to Shephard too!”
Anyway, I
saw this ad for a “Leg Lamp” and thought,
“Damn, I am going to send one to
Frog.”
Without telling
him I ordered one to be sent to his home before Christmas.
When he
received it he was excited. His children
were excited. His wife tolerated it, and
every year since he ritualistically pulls it out and places it in his front
window. He also sends me a picture of it
on Facebook to let me know the tradition continues.
Stupid
little lamp…cost maybe $30, but every year, it makes a friend happy, every year
it brings back good memories, and every year I get thanked again which makes me
happy, so it is the gift that keeps giving and it might be my best gift ever!
For more on
Jean Shephard read
“The
Greatest Story Teller Ever”
Merry
Christmas!
That was a nice thing to do, Joe. You're a good friend.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and weekend and may you and yours have a very Merry Christmas. 🌲🌲🌲
I visited the house this year (from the movie). We watch it every Christmas. A great gift!
ReplyDeleteOoh! That was the perfect gift. I hope Frog treated it carefully. It's FRA-JEE-LAY, you know!
ReplyDeleteThere's someone down the street from me who puts his leg lamp up in the front window of his house every Christmas, just as you would a tree or lights. I look forward to annual lighting of the leg. It's the most wonderful time of the year.
ReplyDeleteThat's the kind of gift that keeps giving. Well done!
ReplyDeleteSo it's a "long-standing" gift :)
ReplyDeleteI can't put anything in my window, I only have the one window at the front of my place and Lola hogs the window sill.
The best gift I ever gave: My sister-in-law was a prude. We gave my brother-in-law an anonymous 5-year subscription to Playboy!!
ReplyDeleteYou chose well with this Christmas gift. It's not surprising that your friend displays it every year.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your family a Blessed Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Now you have me curious and I will have to watch Christmas Story to see when and why the leg lamp appears.You know a gift is special when you don't stumble on it in your friend's basement behind a mattress.
ReplyDeleteYou're a good gift giver! This movie is very popular around these parts since it was filmed in Cleveland and the house has tours. We watch it ever year and enjoy it like a good Christmas cookie! Merry Christmas to you and Mrs. C!
ReplyDeleteI was a fan of Mr. Shepherd, also. And I can't tell you how many times I've seen "A Christmas Story". That was a great gift you sent your friend.
ReplyDeleteDang. I’d like one of those leg lamps.
ReplyDeleteIt's not how expensive the gift is that makes it a great gift, it's all the sentiment that comes with it. You did great, Cranky!
ReplyDelete