So, what do you want for Christmas?
That’s the question of the season right?
Both clandestinely and up-front-boldly, parents ask it of their children, children ask it of their parents, friends ask one to another, and all are expecting tangible ideas in order to compile their secret lists and sneaky plans…
It is a conversation starter when you are in groups; a good way to get people talking about what their hearts are set on…
the latest gadget,
a new pair of boots,
coveted jewels,
or… money – to get what they really want…
Those are the kind of answers I expected when I asked a small group of men in Recovery what they wanted for Christmas. But it is not the answer I got. Not even close.
Without hesitation, his voice was steady and strong:
“All I want is one more day, just like today, clean and sober.”
Immediately, my heart melted right into the shape of a large piece of humble pie. In my asking, I was boldly sneaky in hopes that I would be able to gain insight and surprise these guys with a tangible gift near Christmas Day. Instead, I was stopped in my tracks.
How many of us think, all we want for Christmas is: one more day?
It is a total perspective game changer to think like this! This young man’s answer caused me to realize how very ungrateful I was to not see the preciousness of one more day. Not to see the gift of one more day.
One more day to breathe in the cold winter air and feel the crunch of snow underfoot…
One more day to enjoy a taco on Tuesday…
One more day to laugh with a friend, hug a mom, and sing in the shower!
For those in Recovery, it is a different story. One more day, clean and sober, is one more day to live and enjoy life and the people in their paths. Too many of these young men know the instability of recovery; too many of these young men have been revived by Narcan and fully know that unexpected deaths occur. Too many of these young men fear that tomorrow may not come.
One more day is a gift for sure.
And so, I ask myself …
If I all I wanted for Christmas was one more day…how would that change my Holiday season?
One more day to cook a meal for those I love…
One more day to give a hug, loan a dollar, listen to a hurting heart…
One more day to laugh and cry and pray…
One more day to serve my Lord…
The best gifts of this season are those intangibles – the stuff you cannot buy, but that are given by the Father of the Baby Jesus that is so prevalently depicted during this season. Today, I am thanking my young man friend for the gift he gave me:
… perspective.
I will align myself with him and say, yes – I want the same for Christmas – the best gift:
One more day to wake up and enjoy what God has given me.
What do you want for Christmas?
In the Battle 
All I want for Christmas is for anyone suffering from addiction is to find the strength to reach out and make a call before they use so we can all enjoy that day and many more. I love you guys! Merry Christmas!
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yesss!
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Thank you. What an amazing and appropriate perspective. My son didnât make one more day, but thru his death from overdose I have been given the gift of perspective. Thank you for articulating it! I will share this widely. Thanks for the perspective. This is my son that has given me perspective.
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thank you for reading and sharing
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I want the impossible; I want my son to have one more day to spend with me as I’m sure so many parents who lost a child to addiction do, too. I know what my son wanted because he expressed it to me before his death. He wanted a normal life without the monkey of alcoholism on his back.
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love you my friend – yes — to all you said. Caleb wanted a “normal ” life as well….
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1 more day with my son who didnt get one more day. And the wish that all addicts have one more day after one more day.
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yes, it is a wish for all …. but not given to all; we must Trust that God is over it all.
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