It's my favorite scene in the movie. George Bailey, on the brink of losing every thing he's sacrificed his dreams for,"pastes" the petals back on Zuzu's wilted flower. She doesn't see him slip the petals into his pocket.
Frosted sugar cookies and russian tea cakes, Christmas drills (I'll explain if you'd like), the glow of twinkling lights, praying for snow, and trying to sleep on Christmas Eve; Christmas was always magical when I was growing up. I didn't see the hard work and sacrifice that went into providing Christmas for me, my sister and brothers. I never knew how much time and effort went into hanging those lights, putting up the tree, shopping, wrapping, and baking. As far as I knew, these things were done by magic elves.
For the past three years, we've spent Christmas on our own, just our little family. It doesn't feel the same. There are no elves to water the tree, hang the lights or buy the presents. Here there's no chance of snow, no late night scrabble games, pine nuts or Christmas brew. I still get a lump in my throat when Harry Bailey toasts his big brother, but my mom and dad aren't watching with me.
Yesterday I was sitting at the table, hovering over a puzzle with my kids and listening to Christmas music, when I felt it... magic. It wasn't at my mom's kitchen table, it was at my own. It's a strange thing becoming the one who creates the memories, the one who makes the magic and pastes the petals. It takes a lot of work, but giving my kids the kind of Christmas that I had is magical. Making Katy's favorite cookies and listening to Cameron recite the nativity along with Linus-it doesn't get any better. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
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And I do want to understand a Christmas drill???