Brian Keith Anderson

     Due to their father’s shamefully prolonged unemployment, the Andersons will have a different Christmas this year. First of all, Santa is out and Christ is in. While Santa never really played much of a part in our gifting (only goodies in the stockings came from him), this year he will be forever annihilated. My generosity toward entertaining his nonexistence is nil. On the other hand, my regard toward Christ - from whom I’ve realized tangible and intangible benefits, will be magnified.

     So this morning I’ve been contemplating apparel labels, especially those that say Made in USA or Hecho en Mexico or Fabrique en Malaisie. See, each Christmas gift from papa to child this year is Handmade by Papa. A label won’t be needed to remind them of it - ever. The brand is built into the essence of the gift. The brand values implicit to each say, in a me-to-you way: I know you, I knew you would like this gift, I love you, I want you to always remember that I will always love you. This kind of value and quality did not require a penny from me, it was borne of paternal (protect, provide, preside) love of you as an individual from the moment I laid eyes on you (at birth) through today, the intimacy of a lifetime of serving you, the education and skills I have, lots of time creating the gift while thinking only of you, and intense phsyical effort. In sum, blood, sweat and tears. Where this gift came from, money played no part because this gift comes straight from my heart.  

To Balboa:

To Goobs:

To Bear:

To Wub:

To Froman:

     Okay, the title is a little misleading in that you expected to SEE with your eyes WHAT the kid’s were getting. Chances are, you glimpsed something even better; you FELT with your hearts HOW the kid’s will feel when they open their gifts from me on Christmas morning. At least, I HOPE that is how they’ll feel. Who knows…