Boots

I have always enjoyed Christmas, though I think that enjoyment has evolved over the years.  Early on, it was about what I might get and later about what I could give.  I think the latest step in the evolutionary trek is having opportunity to interact with people that I don't see all that often.  This year I had opportunity to talk with my nephew's daughter, Jane.  She is 5 and I suppose I see her maybe three times per year.  I noticed at our Christmas get together she was wearing boots, and looking for some way to interact with her I asked about them.  I suppose that we talked about her perspective on and history with boots for maybe five minutes.  Now, she did not say anything profound on the subject, but she did have definite opinions and all of this brought a smile to my face.  That, I think, was one of the best Christmas presents I got this year.  Children will do that for you, especially when you are not really expecting it and don't have any right to it.  I mean, after all, I'm just "Uncle Randy" who is very seldom around and yet she seemed delighted to tell me about her boots.  This leads me to say that I think it is the personal interaction that makes a holiday memorable.  Jane did that for me.  I am already looking forward to next year.  Maybe we will talk about hats.