The Busiest Christmastime of the Year

Chapter 7 - December 12

Kara

There are thirteen days left before Christmas, and my progress in fulfilling many kids' holiday wishes is turning out impeccable. Even though I've read several Christmas letters where kids were asking for very pricey stuff -- like computers, game consoles, and whatnot -- that doesn't seem to stop me. On the other hand, I've also been keeping track of how much money is left in my bank account; that way, I am still able to pay off my bills and taxes.

Now that my job was over for the day, I got into my car to drive back home. But first, I was feeling hungry, so I was going to a drive-through restaurant to get myself some dinner at Burgers O' Denver -- which is a burger joint founded in Denver, Colorado, in the year 1957.

Once I found the nearest Burgers O' Denver restaurant, there was a long line of cars and farm trucks going through the drive-through lane. It was going to take a while for all the other folks to get their orders taken before mine. Instead, I opted to park my car in the parking lot and walk inside the restaurant to place my order.

Inside the restaurant, I went to one of the kiosks and chose the "Create Your Own Burger" option. I decided to make my customized burger to have these things: two beef burger patties, a slice of pepperjack cheese, a slice of Swiss cheese, and dried onions. I also ordered a box with six chicken nuggets and six onion rings each. And for my drink, I opted for a peppermint smoothie.

Once I proceeded to the Checkout button and paid with my credit card, my receipt was printed out from the slot below the screen. I took the receipt and went to sit at a table to wait for my order to be done.

At the table where I was sitting, I heard a familiar voice say my name. I lifted my head, and I noticed the person who called my name was Lauryn Roxie, who is Kiana and Lynnette's mother. She was eating a cheeseburger with a side of sweet potato fries.

After Lauryn took another bite from her cheeseburger and ate another sweet potato fry, she asked how I was doing, and I told her that both my time at work and my experience in being a Secret Santa were turning out amazing. Lauryn told me she has heard of the program just this year and wants to partake in it, but she does not know how.

I told Lauryn about my experience with Mega Worldwide Postal Service's Operation Gift Cheer program, breaking up each step one by one; that way, it's easier for her to know how to partake in the program and be like a Secret Santa, delivering smiles to many children.

I also explained to her my experience with the yearly initiative, and I was able to complete many recipients' wishlists, no matter if they were asking for a few gifts or many. Also, when I wrap the recipients' gifts and put them into separate shipping boxes, I sometimes add in a little extra gift. For example, if I bought gifts for a kid -- who would be up to 12 years old -- then I may put in a tin of sugar cookies; a Christmas-themed sweater, either red or green; or maybe a pair of wooly socks.

After all that reasoning, Lauryn was convinced to partake in the initiative, and I heard one of the restaurant employees call my name, meaning my order was ready to be picked up. I waved 'goodbye' to Lauryn and wished her a Merry Christmas in advance.

The restaurant employee gave me the bag with my food inside and my smoothie, and I exited Burgers O' Denver.

I hopped into the driver's seat once I got back in my car, and I began to enjoy my burger, fries, onion rings, and smoothie. But before I could take the first bite, I got a call from Livia. I wondered why she was calling me when I am trying to enjoy my small dinner.

I accepted Livia's call, and the news she told me was great. She told me when she checked the mail from our mailbox, we got an invitation to Evelynn Esliot's house for a Christmas party this Saturday. At the Esliots' house, there will be fun games, a huge variety of tasty food, and gift exchanges.

A Christmas party at Evelynn's house does sound fun, but I do remember this one time when I've been to another person's Christmas party after work, and I suddenly went dozing off right on the house owner's sofa before I could eat a piece of a mince pie. During my nap at that time, some of the party guests played a prank on me by putting whipped cream on my face to make it look like I was wearing a beard. From my perspective, I found that prank to be unhumorous.

I know it was just a harmless prank, but oftentimes, I can be the type of person who takes pranks seriously. So, ever since that Christmas party, and whenever Livia and I are invited to one, I just drop Livia off and wait for her to give me a phone call to let me know when she is ready to be picked up.

Getting back to Livia's call, I had no other choice but to accept being invited to Evelynn's house for her Christmas party this Saturday. Livia was happy that I would come to Christmas parties again after a couple of years, so she wrapped up the phone call. Now, I can get back to enjoying my small dinner.