When you get older, your Christmas wish list changes. I prefer small, useful things. Sometimes not even gifts; just being with my family is more than enough.
So I came up with a 2024 wish list with those guidelines in mind:
• I asked my kids to get me some books, and I asked my wife for some framed photos.
From Audrey, I asked for one or two books in the original James Bond series.
I’ve read the first 10. Four more to go. “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is the next one up. I want to finish the Bond books so I can start reading John LeCarre’s spy novels.
From Thomas, I asked for a book I just heard about, “The Last Kilo,” about the Cuban cocaine trade in Miami in the 1980s, how they lowered the price to make it affordable to the masses and then spread it across the country.
Originally, I wrote that I would ask John to get me a new biography of Johnny Carson. But he’s still wrapped up in his expensive flying lessons, so he needs to save his money, and I remember now that I have already asked him to install new windshield wiper blades on my car after I buy them. Chuckle if you like, but I never have been able to do it.
Piloting update: John has earned three or four different pilot licenses so far, and soon will be able to be paid for flying people around, or for being a flight instructor. He’s also bringing home a little income in Memphis by delivering for Uber Eats.
He wanted great change in his life when he quit banking work at the end of 2023. Trust me, he got his wish.
From Mary Ann, I asked for enlarged and framed photos, one from a Saints game and the other from this year’s Mississippi Press Association convention. But I know she’ll also get me something useful, too. I don’t know how she figures out that stuff.
Audrey’s husband Zach has the easiest assignment. Every year he gets me some Mountain Dew and a bag of Doritos. What more could I possibly want?
• Mary Ann and I are happiest when we can get our whole family together during the holidays, but it won’t happen this year.
Audrey is staying in Memphis for a good reason: In about six weeks she will deliver her second son, and our third grandson.
That is a wonderful gift, even if he doesn’t arrive until a month after the holidays.
Mary Ann and I will be full up with grandsons. Audrey’s oldest, Henry, who is visiting us this weekend, is 2 1/2 and a lot of fun. Then there is Tommy, 7 months old, Thomas’ and Kayla’s son. I will enjoy watching him as he transforms from a charming infant to a rambunctious toddler, the way Henry has.
And soon, here comes Boy No. 3. I don’t want to buy my grandsons books; I want to read children’s books to them, the way I did with my kids.
• No wish list would be complete without hoping for better times in my job.
The Enterprise-Journal is still kicking, but we are doing it with fewer employees. I still enjoy the work, but as in many places, it’s a lot more demanding.
A better economy might shake loose some more advertising and subscription dollars. That would be a wonderful Christmas gift.
• The Saints need to stay out of the NFL playoffs. At the bank Friday afternoon, another customer saw my jacket and said, “What about them Saints?” I replied, “Just not our year.”
And it’s not. Despite a rocking 2-0 start with that stunning beatdown of the Dallas Cowboys, the Saints have made a mess of 2024. They are 5-9 after Sunday’s loss against Washington, they fired their coach and they have not beaten a team with a winning record.
My wish: Miss the playoffs. Let’s start thinking about 2025, especially finding a coach. The last few years have taught us that a Drew Brees-Sean Payton combo doesn’t come along very often. We need to start looking.
• Notre Dame and the college playoff. Just a couple of weeks ago, I wrote that I don’t follow my alma mater’s football team nearly as closely as I had for many years. Now we’re the No. 7 seed in the playoff, with a home game against Indiana. I’ll be watching.
History lesson: If we win, we play No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, and I may have to go even though Georgia probably will win.
In 1980, when I was a college sophomore, we played Georgia and Herschel Walker in the Sugar Bowl and lost 17-10. I was at that game.
Dare I wish for revenge 44 years later? Yes, indeedy!
