Making a List

I had navigated through each department---purchasing things for the various people who still needed gifts.

I had my map and my black card in hand.

My journey proceeded without interruption.

And as I was making my last purchase in the men’s department I found myself next to a woman a few years older than I apparently speaking to her daughter on her cellular phone. I could not help but hear her conversation: Hi.  I am in Lord and Taylor right now. I got Robbie that jacket he wanted and so he is done. And you, Chris, the baby, and Grandma and Grandpa are done too. I also picked up that make-up thing for your stupid sister-in-law even though I did not want to..... I have one more thing to do here, and then I am heading over to "Banana"  and then I should be done with shopping for the day.

And although I did not know this woman, I felt compelled to invite myself into her world. And so I smiled as she updated her gift list and made the universal hand signal for check check check.

The woman chuckled.

Because at Christmastime it is all about the list. We think not about the pleasure of the task, but rather only about getting it done.

We just want to check things off and move on.

It’s about accomplishment.

We never factor in who is naughty or nice.

We purchase and give things anyway.

Which makes us all a leg up on Santa Claus and his elves.