What a feeling to wake up in the morning and see all those gifts under the tree.

The tree that was just a day before standing with nothing under it. Growing up in the 70's youth wanted to be outside - no matter the weather. Christmas morning meant a quick bite to eat and then strapping up your skates, putting on your play coat, hat and the one glove that you could find and rolling around the block with your friends. Some had the ball bearing #5's while others had the roller skate boots. Still others were outside with new bikes.

Like many children of divorced parents, my sister and I would later get ready for our dad to pick us up. My mom would remind us of the time as we were usually side tracked by our friends and the conversations we had of what we got for Christmas. At some point, we would peep out the window and see a brown custom chevy van with the shiny spoked rims rolling down the street. I laugh, as I recall my dad, who always had a crisp afro covering his dome, never seemed to dress for the weather, choosing to often go coatless or a thin jacket in the chilly December air.

Christmas in the 70's was pivotal because the decade represented the changing perspective of how my peers viewed the holiday. We enter the 70's believing a man travels around the globe delivering gifts through chimneys and we're always on the receiving end. We exit the 70's knowing our parents and loved ones bring the magic and learn the gift is actually in giving.