This site is about you, but I think it’s only fair of me to share my own favorite Christmas memory before I ask you to to do the same…

My favorite Christmas memory is 1997.

The previous year, my wife and I moved to a new state. We were far away from friends and family, but there was also a sense that we were doing something exciting.

At Christmas, we came home and did the sort of whirlwind traveling that people do when they’re in from out of state. It was a busy trip and my wife was feeling especially tired. We started getting worried that perhaps she was coming down with the flu, but as it turned out she was pregnant!

I still remember the rush of excitement! We were so excited to share this news with our families!

As I write this, my wife and I are sitting in our living room. The son we found out about back in 1997 is sitting on the couch reading a book, and the son who came five years later is busy putting together lego models…

I think this year is beginning to show some promise too.

Now it’s your turn.

Share your favorite Christmas memory in the comments!

In my opinion, this story is best enjoyed read aloud by the author. The language is rich, lush, and comical. Below is a passage from the beginning that I love for all those reasons and makes me want to listen to it again right now.

All the Christmases roll down toward the two-tongued sea, like a cold and headlong moon bundling down the sky that was our street; and they stop at the rim of the ice-edged, fish-freezing waves, and I plunge my hands the snow and bring out whatever I can find. In goes my hand into that wool-white bell-tongued ball of holidays resting at the rim of the carol-singing sea, and out come Mrs. Prothero and the firemen.

Of course, it just so happens that Salon has a downloadable version of A Child’s Christmas in Wales in MP3 format. Enjoy!