For some reason my ex-husband always chose wither the start of the school year when I had school clothes to buy for three kids or Christmas when I had gifts to get for the kids, to file for a Modification of Support. When he filed such an order, he did not have to pay me any support until the hearing which was usually 4 to 6 weeks after filing for the modification. He did this Christmas of 1993 and his petition failed. He did it again Christmas of 1994 and although that petition also failed, it left the kids and I in a bad financial situation.
Christmas of 1994 the kids went to their dad’s house on Christmas Eve and he was to return them by 10 AM. Because of the lack of money, I didn’t have many presents for the kids. They all wanted a computer and I found a man that would build one for me and not charge an arm and a leg and he would build it to the specifications needed by/for the kids. He took a payment to get the parts and then the rest when he delivered it on Christmas Eve. I had checked with him and everything was on schedule. I was glad because although this was a gift for all three of them, it was really primarily for Tony, the oldest who needed it for school. I had managed to get a couple of computer games at discount that I would give him for Christmas.
Tina wanted a bird. I had found her a bird cage at a yard sale about a month before Christmas and I had it stashed in the garage. I just had to get the bird. I planned on getting it at the local swap meet on Christmas Eve while the kids were at their dad’s.
Everything was on target that Christmas Eve. I got up early and was at the swap meet when they opened at 7 in the morning. I knew exactly where the pet stand was and I got there in time to get the most beautiful lavender colored parakeet! It was the most beautiful bird I had seen. I was so happy to have gotten it and it was only $4! On my way out to the car I stopped and picked up a couple of small things the kids could use and got them at bargain prices as the vendors wanted to unload them quickly. I made my way home and set up the cage and put the parakeet into it.
Just as I finished with the birdie, the phone rang. It was bad news. The man that was building the computer for me was calling to say that the fan he had ordered for the computer did not work and he’d have to wait til the 26th to get another. The kids would not have their computer on Christmas. I was bummed but I figured I would make the best of it and was glad Ihad managed to get a deal on the bird and the things I picked up at the swap meet.
I went to the grocery store to get what I needed for Christmas dinner and to see if I could pick up some stocking stuffers for the kids. I was in the store for a long time and when I came out, it was raining. I got the groceries near the car and then I slipped and fall. I fall flat on my back in the middle of the parking lot, in the rain. I couldn’t get up and cars went around me. It took about seven or eight cars going around me before a man came and helped me get up and got me to the car. Then he picked up my groceries and got them in my car. He actually offered to drive me home but I thanked him and said I could make it home. I had a previous back and knee injury so this was not good. It took about a half hour of sitting in the car crying before I felt I could drive home.
Once home I put the perishable away and took a pain pill and went to bed. I slept for a very short time and wakened when I heard a loud crash! I ran to see what it was and got to the living room in time to see my daughter’s cat running past me with the bird in his mouth! He had somehow gotten out of the bedroom where he had been stashed til he could be introduced to the bird. The loud crash was the cat, Noisemaker, knocking down the cage. I chased the cat all over the house until he let go of the cat whose neck had been broken. I threw a shoe at the cat and sat and cried again, holding the dead bird in my hands.
I ended up going to bed and crying myself to sleep after taking care of the bird mess in the living room. I didn’t even eat lunch or dinner. I just slept.
When the kids got to the house the next morning, I answered the door with tears in my eyes and the only thing I could say to Tina was “Your stupid animal killed your Christmas present!”
The kids kind of rolled with the punches that day and enjoyed themselves and the gifts they had. They day was fine and on the 26th, their computer was delivered and we went back to the swap meet and had my daughter pick out another bird. They also had some Christmas money sent by relatives so they enjoyed the after Christmas bargains at the swap meet.
I guess no matter what happens and no matter how many strikes against us, if we’re together, it’s a Christmas hit! It matters not what material things they have or I can give. We have each other and we are willingly and eagerly together. That’s what counts.
Yes, Christmas is more than just getting presents.
As a bird owner, may I suggest getting a lovebird the next time you feel so compelled? My lovebird can kick the cat’s butt!
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Oh MY! Sounds like the Grinch did a number on you that year! I am so glad that, true to the Dr Seuss classic, the kids rolled with it and you ended up having a great time together.
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This is one of those things that shouldn’t be funny, but is … the part about the cat eating the Christmas bird, I mean.
You really should put these all together in a book … you have an amazing array of Christmas stories.
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David, the first time I wrote this out, it was as a sample for my 6th grade class on finding the humor in stories. I stressed the humor in the bird and on me laying flat on my back in the middle of the parking lot with no one helping me. My 6th graders loved it!
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Being able to look back, laugh, and gain strength from these toils is the true gift you have been given.
You are strong, and a survivor, one to be admired. Your children are lucky to have you, that is their ultimate gift.
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I’m with David. Corina, you should put these charming, poignant (and funny at times) stories in a book.
I sympathize with you about the bird. We were down to one beautiful blue finch one time, whom we dearly loved. We left for fifteen minutes and came home to find the cage opened, one blue feather and a full bellied cat. In this case, he had enjoyed a $75 snack.
I can’t believe people drove around you in the parking lot!!!
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Happy almost-your-birthday! I may not have net access tomorrow, so I wanted to make sure I got that in while I still can!
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You mentioned this was originally written to be humorous. I guess it would totally depend on the manner in which it was delivered, for as it reads, only the truly heartless would laugh as such memories.
I see wisdom. I see compassion. But nothing funny.
Maybe it’s just me . . .
Wanted to let you know what an honor it’s been getting to know you through your blog this past year. You are an amazing memoirist, and I love your stories.
Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and a new year brimming with wondrous surprises . . .
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This story really shows what an optimist you are. I hope it is a trait you’ve passed on to all your kids, because it is a wonderful trait to have (I’m an optimist, too, and so glad to be one). It will get you through all the tough times with lightness in your heart and the confidence of knowing everything will turn out fine.
I’m really enjoying your Christmas stories, too, Corina. And happy (belated) birthday.
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[…] Three Strike Christmas […]
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Yikes, sounds like an awful Christmas! At least in the end turned out at least a little better (and there is always that nice guy who helped you.)
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