More Wrapping

I went back myself for more fun today. (I really enjoy wrapping presents). Today I met a guy named Tony; his table was next to mine. He liked loudly singing the Christmas songs, with their "real" lyrics. (J.D. would have been annoyed). I just thought it was goofy. He also put a red bow on his forehead (not the top of his head). Tony was 3rd generation St. Louis born and raised. His whole family is here.

I also saw a former student, Christine. She was a freshman when I taught her. Now she's a junior. (Sheesh).

The first box today had presents for four kids: three boys and a girl. The girl got a lot more stuff than her brothers, which I didn't think was fair. But maybe the person shopping for them thought the little girl wouldn't have as many clothes, since the boys could wear hand-me-downs (maybe, I have no idea). I think people should try to be as equal as possible for siblings. Anyway, I'm trying to remember their names: Gaybrielle, Caleb, Raheem, and I can't exactly remember the third boy's, except it had a "q" in there and was like Jonquone.

Then I wrapped a set of presents for an elderly man, Carter. And the best news, I got to wrap my own presents for Viola and Dorothy. I was very happy about that. I wanted to make sure they still had everything the way I prepared it. (Controlling of me, I know). My little notes were still on the various things. My bows and ribbons got a bit crushed and mangled, but I tried to straighten them out again. The biggest problem was that a box of special soap and lotion for Viola was totally missing. They said it was "probably" put in with another family. Well, then I hope they took out the note I wrote for Viola inside the present. They tried slightly blaming me: "The case number probably wasn't on there." Umm, no I can guarantee you that it was. I was very careful and labelled everything. I individually taped (on all sides) the tags to the respective boxes. Hopefully Viola will still have a nice Christmas with her other gifts.

Some other person next to me found a $500.00 Walmart gift certificate for one family. Won't they be surprised! Still, it seems there was a great disparity, with one family getting $500 bucks and the elderly man Carter getting a sweater and 9 cans of Campbell's soup. I guess you can only do what you can do; you can only give what you have to give. Hopefully all the gifts will be useful and will bring their receivers some happiness and comfort.

I tried to figure out what I like about wrapping presents. First of all, I like things to look nice. I'm a sucker for bows and ribbons and shiny tags. I like dolling things up. Secondly, I like to imagine, as I'm wrapping, what the person might think or feel as he or she unwraps the present. I imagine her excitement; I like to imagine how he will enjoy whatever item is in there. It's a tactile way of vicariously feeling anticipation. I think that's a big part of it. I'm not sure about whatever mysterious quotient is left. ???

Anyway, now I just have to figure out what to do with the rest of my day. J.D. is at Games Workshop playing a local tournament. Maybe I should clean the dreaded computer room. I have a MAJOR rat's nest going: books and papers piled all over. (Yes, sadly, that is what I should do). Maybe if I have some hot chocolate I'll feel like cleaning? (Probably not).

Have a good Saturday everyone.