Think back. Do you remember “All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth?” I don’t remember who recorded it but a Christmas doesn’t pass that I don’t catch myself prancing about the house to the tune.
Now, hang on to that thought while I tell you a Christmas story.
My granddaughter’s boyfriend is an airman at McConnell Air Force Base and was deployed to Qatar several months ago. Being the widow of a retired airman, I’m a bit sentimental about the Air Force, especially during the holidays when I know so many families are separated.
I donated a few Christmas goodies for the boyfriend’s Christmas box He found two CD’s by? Sam Cook for her, knowing Sam and Amber and I spent many an hour singing away when we traveled about when she was younger. Sam will always be special to us.
No. I didn’t get a Sam Cook CD and I want to point out it took great courage for me to send him, the boyfriend, peanut butter and chocolate candy bars and M & M’s when I can’t eat them this year. That was a major sacrifice for my country by me.
Appreciating my ruffled feathers, Amber quickly told me Luis is planning something special for me for Christmas. Something “physical” she thought.
Well, I wondered, what could something physical be that one military person would send to another? Especially, if the ‘another’ is widowed, has been widowed a long time, and wants to be buried with her picture taken with the Chippendales?
Thank you, Santa! A platoon! He’s sending me my very own platoon. I don’t know how many young, strong, physical fellows are in a platoon but, Santa honey, bring ’em on.
The gutters need to be cleaned, and the garage. (We won’t talk about the refrigerator). The leaves haven’t been picked up yet and the car could really use a good cleaning inside and out. The windows need to be washed and I haven’t had any living room curtains since I took the old ones down for a garage sale several months ago.
And all these chores tackled by young, strong, physical fellows who snap to, whip out a salute, smile and respond? “Yes ma’am, my pleasure ma’am.”
None of this, “Well, I’m too tired today’ or “the gutters are just fine, I checked them last year” or “leaves are supposed be left on the ground to protect the grass” or ‘I like the windows without curtains. It’s much brighter in here.”
No. No fuss. No excuses. Just a salute, a little smile and a “Yes ma’am, my pleasure ma’am.”
So. Are you ready. Let’s tune up. HMMMMMMM. Sing out, America.
“ll I want for Christmas is my own platoon. My own platoon, yes, my own platoon. All I want for? Christmas is my own platoon, so I could wish me Merry Christmas.”?
