The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

The Christmas season is upon us. It’s a wonderful time of the year. Brightly lit Christmas trees surrounded by presents wrapped in colorful paper and bows join traditional school programs and church services honoring the reason for the season. Each family has their own special traditions that mark their Holiday Season. The Hodgson family has their own unique way of celebrating the upcoming season of gift giving. You can tell Christmas is just around the corner. Everyone in the family begins to lie to everyone else.

Conversations go on like this, “Well, the semi arrived today with your present. Don’t go into the shop anymore.” That will be answered with something such as, “I’m having a bit of a problem with your gift. It’s not eating like it should. Been on the internet trying to find those weird things it eats.”

I came in from the garage a few days ago to hear the voices of Sue, our son David and his wife, Kathy, talking. When I walked around the corner, everyone clammed up. Silence. Full of suspicion, I asked, “What were you talking about?”

“We weren’t talking about anything,” Sue replied as the other two suddenly became interested in their phone screens. Probably scheduling a session with liars anonymous.

“What are you getting me for Christmas?” Sue asked.

“Not sure yet,” was my answer. “Hope the master card bill doesn’t get here before Christmas,” was what I was thinking.

Yep, Christmas time is really special around our place. You would think we all were FBI or CIA operatives. Nobody trusts anyone and no one can be trusted. Makes me so proud. While other families may be stringing Christmas lights on the house, our group is stringing each other along with deceit and diversions.

So how does all this wind up? Both our ranch houses will be as brightly lit as any in town. Our Christmas tree will be decorated with ornaments, some dating back to each child’s first Christmas. The presents we give and receive will be thoughtful expressions of the love that went into selecting them. Prayers will be said, openly and personally. We will honor the day as we feel it should be.

Most important of all, everyone quits lying. In their minds, however, they will remember the best lies told this season. They will be filed away until next December. That’s when everyone begins lying again. Christmas sure is special.