By Holly Schultz
Teacher Writer

Christmas morning as a child –
What could be better?
Rushing down the hall
to gasp at what Santa brought.
Wrapping paper torn and tossed to the ceiling.
Squeals of joy and laughter fill your heart.
Candy, toys –
What could be better?
As an adult, I think back
on these memories
of pure joy, pure excitement
with nostalgia in my heart.

Last Christmas I waited
For a perfect present,
one that I had hinted about a few times.
Each box I unwrapped…
Is this it?  Is this the one?
The last box under the tree gets passed to me
as my heartbeat thumps with anticipation.
I tear the wrapping and toss it to the ceiling.
I lift the box top and push aside the red tissue.
Could this be it?  Is this the one?
WOOOHOOO!
I grab my perfect gift and
Jump up, squealing with joy and laughter,
Bouncing with excitement.

I’m taken back, back to my childhood.
Back to those Christmas mornings as a kid.
All grown up, bouncing and giggling with glee;
What could be better?