Annual Christmas Gifts

The large company that my DH works for takes requests for Christmas gifts for the local Child Protective Services, for the children who reside there.

The first December after Jeffrey passed, DH asked me if I wanted to choose the child on the list. I looked at the list and saw the there was a child that wanted skateboard related toys, i.e., finger skateboards and, I don't remember what else. Well, I immediately wanted to get everything on the list that he requested. So, we purchased as much as possible. This was the most difficult thing for me to do. I was happy that we were getting a Christmas present for a "boy" who had requested "skateboarding" toys. So, through our tears, we purchased them at the check out counter and brought the toys home for DH to take to CPS the next day. I was happy the boy was getting what he wanted for Christmas, but it was bitter-sweet.

I may have forgotten to mention that my Jeffrey was an avid Skateboarder (since he was 6 yrs old) and photographer/videographer. He was just beginning to build his career and open up a skateboard/video shop. So, you can see why buying presents for a "boy" and especially for "skateboarding" material, really pleases me. It's almost like I am getting something for Jeffrey.

Last December we were lucky enough to find another boy who wanted skateboarding products. But, this time, we selected a boy who actually requested a skateboard!! I can't tell you how excited I was to purchase a skateboard! For those of you who don't know, a skateboard comes in many parts and either the store puts it all together, or the skateboarder puts it together once he learns all the names of the parts.,and learns how to put it together.

Well, I've learned most of the ins and outs while purchasing Jeffrey's skateboards these many years. Jeffrey had VERY MANY BEST FRIENDS! I do not exaggerate! Everyone loved him. Well, one of his best friends now owns a skateboard/surfing shop. So, today DH & I went to the shop and purchased the deck, ball berrings, trucks, grip tape, oh, just everything to put it together. We also got two Skateboard magazines: Thrasher and Skateboarder; a beanie, and STICKERS!! You don't know how important it is to have stickers for these boys! Jeffrey has filled his bedroom door with stickers since he was 7yrs. old, and I let him. I thought it was great! He had such a personality you could not imagine. I treasure that door.

Some of these things that we got for this boy were extra things we just knew he would love, as Jeffrey did. We also ordered a Tony Hawk skateboarder poster. Oh, the boy is 13 yrs. old. I can just imagine how excited he will be when he opens these packages from SANTA! I wish I could see his face when he opens his presents. Oh, I don't know if the boy still believes in Santa, but that is what the CPS will put on the labels.

It just so happened that when we arrived, another best friend of Jeffrey's was there, Reid. Reid put the skateboard together. It was Reid (that almost became a professional skateboarder) and, who was going to open the skatebaord shop with Jeffrey.

Well, that was my day. Hope y'all had a good one.