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My Christmas story

white knight
Community Champion
Community Champion

It was in 1994. I was 36yo and my father had recently passed away. I had two daughters6 and 3yo and had been unemployed for 2 years. Xmas was looking bleak, we were poor and I found it impossible to find work. I was good with handyman work though and my mind went into mania mode...I found a way I could give my girls a great xmas.

I designed the perfect cubby house.  It had dormer windows, was portable and painted bright colours. Pink with grey and green with cream. Or any colour they ordered. I built one and took it to a town show and kids wouldnt get out of it. Mums had to drag them out. I knew I was onto something.

This idea was my temporary saviour. Because my marriage was on the rocks and I had little idea of my mental illnesses. All I knew was I was going downhill fast.

I withdrew our last dollars to buy more floorboards and advertised in the trading post. Two weeks later I had orders for14 cubbies all to be delivered xmas eve. I frantically began to build and borrow more money to buy more materials. I toiled for 19 hours a day.

Xmas eve arrived and at 4am I woke to a "town" of brightly coloured cubbies on our backyard where my daughters had played for the last few weeks. One by one they were delivered all over the Victorian state towed by my old trusty Ford Zephyr.

19 hours later I had the last cubby on the trailer bound for Melbourne 2 hours away. I was spent, exhausted but I was estatic. My pocket was full of money...around $8000 of which $2000 was to be repaid in materials. I delivered the cubby. The parents of that lucky girl got me to eat santas carrot cake and in front of this couple I burst into tears totally overcome and exhausted.

I drove home and a few kilometres from home I realised I'd forgotten to buy my daughters a xmas gift. All our money had gone into building materials and I was so busy delivering cubbies- I'd forgot. I drove another hour to arrive at a service station at a town named Kalkallo on the outskirts of Melbourne, the only place where gift could be purchased. The only "gifts" were $3 beach balls. And so two were purchased.

I got home at 3am. My wife did have two xmas stockings she filled with nick knacks and we wrapped the balls in xmas paper. Our children woke and they loved their beach balls and stockings.

There has never been a better xmas. Two weeks later we got a new fridge and filled it and the pantry with food.

Two months later I got a job.

I've believed ever since....that you can make your own luck in life.

Merry xmas

Tony WKcubby

30 Replies 30

CMF
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi Bethie,

what is the thread called and which category? You can also hit the 'report post ' button.

cmf x

Bethie
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

New post called I need help

Sorry to bother you guys here but I can't let this one slide

CMF
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Found it, good job!

Sorry Tony for hijacking your thread.

Bethie
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

User tag. .

RandomYoungAlien

Post reported with concerns. I've done hundreds of 12 step call outs. This guy shows all symptoms that help is needed fast

white knight
Community Champion
Community Champion

Thanks Bethie, CMF and gg. Our members health and the forum integrity matters most.

GG, Ive struggled and struggled, but at all times, no matter the challenge I have always reversed my sadness to have faith that it will work out. Always except once. That terrible day one week before I left my 1st wife, a few hours I cant erase.

Anyway one week later I was gone. Everytime I had my kids company I promised them I would always pick them up. I did.

We had great xmas's.

Tony WK

Ggrand
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hi Tony,

Thank you for a great story,

and thank you so very much for being you.

Kind thought,

GG

Bethie
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member
Best Christmas ever was when I was a teenager. We where living on the canal on the Gold Coast in units. All the parents where arguing and none of the kids where happy so all the kids in 12 units went to the complex pool to get away. After a while all the Mums brought out big plates or Christmas food and even the Dad's brought out soft drinks to share. It was great. No tension just water fights and everyone chilled out. Even the stressed out parents. For the only year ever my Mum called the Police and told them that she would not be available to sign mental health sections that day😊😊

Quercus
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

I wanted to share a story. Not Christmas Day but Christmas Eve....

Shower time for the kids! Cups and bottles and ducks and frogs. Bubbles and steamed up windows. My Mum stands in the doorway with a gentle slightly sad expression. I turn and watch her. The mood is broken. She smiles and comes to take over bath duty. As I go turn on the kettle she says I was thinking how much my Mum would have loved your children. I smile and say I think that all the time too.

Mum slices the cake. Mr 4 and Miss almost 3 count out the carrots. The bag has reindeer carrots written on the front. Go Woolworths! I smile. I go to put a beer on the tray as we used to as kids and Mum says times have changed Nat... You can't drink and drive a sleigh! I snort and choose a non alcoholic option.

Two beds side by side. Pillowslip stockings for Father Christmas to put surprises in. Twinkle lights through the window. Two sleepy kids way past their bedtime snuggled up to read a book with their Grandma. Light out then it is my turn for a cuddle.

Mr 4 hugs me tight and whispers. Mum... What if I freak out? I expected this as soon as Mum told the kids Santa comes in while you sleep. They are wary of strangers. Even if it's Santa. Oh that's ok how about I put your stockings near the carrots and cake in the lounge and when Father Christmas comes I'll make him a cup of tea and tell him you're very tired and a light sleeper. He holds me tighter and nods against my shoulder.

Miss almost 3 is as always a steadfast supporter of her brother. Yes Mum we might freak out! She hands me her stocking with a nod as it's her turn to be tucked in and adored.

My father takes hubby to check the nets in the dams. Beers in an esky off they go. I think of my usual feelings of rejection and see another explanation. My father is showing me his love by showing the man I love he is part of our family.

Hubby crouched by the fireplace. Mum watches holding the talcum powder. What are you doing? He gently dusts the floor near the tray. I catch on once I see the half eaten cake and remnants of carrots sprinkled. Hubby presses boot prints into the dust. I admire the handiwork. A debate ensues. What do reindeer tracks look like? I use my folded fingers to make hoof prints. Mum and hubby makes sounds of approval. Dad peers at our handiwork. I laugh... It takes four adults to be Father Christmas. We can't wait to see if they notice.

Merry Christmas everyone.

❤ Nat


Ggrand
Community Champion
Community Champion

Merry Christmas Nat,

Thank you Nat that was beautiful, you brought me into your home for Christmas Eve, I felt like I was there watching these unfold, I really needed to read something beautiful and Christmasy today.

Kind thoughts,

GG

Greetings all

As Christmas is not part of my tradition I find it interesting to read Tony's stories and everyone's memories.

Happy meories everyone.

Quirky