It was called the Holiday Box of Dreams, and it was. It really was.

Blogifters:

With the Christmas market and cold weather, one would think that the Family Henn was full swing into the holiday spirit and brimming with Christmas spirit.  Well, then one would think wrong.  We weren't, at all.  On a particularly lonely Thursday night, 3 days before what once was my favorite childhood holiday (not favorite adult holiday... the Thanksgiving meal beats presents anyway), L Mama and I sat on the couch watching our son play.  What transpired next was pure Christmas miracle.  I couldn't find the right words to describe the feelings from deep inside my body, so I decided to write a poem instead:

Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the flat,

Small sounds could be heard, on the couch where we sat.

L Riz crawled around on the floor below us

And laughed and giggled and made a small ruckus.

The flat was not decorated, we lacked a big tree

We didn’t have stockings, and no lights up to see

No cookies were baking in our small crappy kitchen,

And no plans for a turkey complete with the fixins.

When all of a sudden we heard a strange noise,

We looked at each other while L Riz played with toys

“What could that be?” I asked of my frau,

We had heard it before, but not often up to now.

The noise came again, and startled our family

Then we realized our doorbell was ringing evidently

Up off of the couch I arose with convection

And off to the door to make an inspection

I lifted to handle and stated “Hello”

And to my surprise, the reply was a fellow

He said “DHL” and I became quite excited

So into our building he was quickly invited

We waited and waited and waited and waited

It seemed like forever from the buzz he’d created.

When he finally appeared he was carrying a box

Could this be a box that was filled up with rocks?

“It’s from Niyant” I said to my wife by my side,

Tears filled her eyes, and she about damn near cried.

I couldn’t believe it, what a great Christmas lift

To our holiday abroad thanks to this special gift.

I signed for the package and said my goodbyes,

To the man who had brought us the ultimate prize.

Into the living room I carried the loot

And towards the box L Rizzy started to scoot.

Immediately his face was covered with glee,

And he wanted it opened, A.S.A.P.

But prior to opening this package with care

I took out the camera to document the affair

Our son pushed the package around on the floor,

And he laughed and he giggled even more than before.

Eventually he showed to his mother and I,

It was time for us all to see what was inside.

After cutting the tape and spreading the lid,

Amid all the packaging, the dreams quietly hid.

There was candies and cookies and treats abound,

There seemed like no limit to what could be found.

Then at the bottom of this amazing box of cheer,

The Elf of the Shelf book, a Christmas souvenir.

A perfect completion to the Holiday crate,

Such an amazing gift from my former roommate(s)!

We tasted the Peeps, and gobbled up Kisses,

L Riz played with packaging, and I hugged the missus.

Rarely in this country have we felt so delighted,

Our thanks to the Patels, the love is not unrequited.

So for my son and my wife, I bid you adieu

To all of our friends and family, I say this to you:

Enjoy the holidays with all of your might

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!

Could be the best day of our lives

How the hell do you get this thing open

Oh wow, air filled sacks!

So fun to play with...

Amazing array of goodies

The real fun begins...

So much to play with and so little time

Holy... are these Peeps?

Why. Aren't. These. Open. Yet.

In this space there was a friggin decent video of L Rizzy walking and pushing the box around- but the Christmas Gods smile upon me no more and I cannot get it to play after uploading (tried converting it, 

putting it on Youtube, etc, etc...)

With this video I went through many stages.  At first I was in denial: "There is no f'ing way this thing won't work."  Then I was very angry: "I'm going to bust this computer's jaw for him and assault a complete stranger."  Next, I bargained with it: "Hey I'll give you this cheap booze and these fast women if you just work."  Then I was in a depression: "I can't ever get anything to work. I'm a failure."  Finally came acceptance: "It is not going to work, deal with it.  Where are the Peeps."

For those who want to see the video I can send it to you by email- just message me: lucaswhenn@gmail.com

Quotrouble:

"I am in the habit of looking not so much to the nature of a gift as to the spirit in which it is offered."
- Robert Louis Stevenson



"Every gift from a friend is a wish for your happiness."
- Richard Bach