My son Alex and I were headed out to run some errands. As we got in the car and I started the engine the radio immediately came on. I didn’t even get the chance to hear what song was playing before Alex reached over and turned it off.
“Hey!” I said as I clicked my seat belt. “I have it on a station that’s only playing Christmas music right now!”
“That didn’t sound like Christmas music to me.”
I had to laugh. “How would you know? It was only on a few seconds!” I put the car in reverse and backed out of the driveway. “I know you don’t like my music but you hum Christmas songs all year long! So I know you like them!”
“That didn’t sound like any Christmas carol I know.” Alex was shaking his head and laughing. “It sounded like someone screaming not singing.”
By now we were driving out of the neighborhood.
“Well I’ve been listening to that station since Thanksgiving and I can definitely say it’s all Christmas songs right now.”
“Okay, fine.” Alex leaned over and turned the radio back on.
“Santa Baby” was playing. We both sat listening. After a few minutes I reached over and turned it off.
Alex looked over at me surprised. “Why’d you do that? I thought you liked Christmas music?”
I shook my head and sighed. “Listening to someone sing about wanting fur coats and new cars isn’t exactly what I think the holiday should be about.”
Alex laughed again. “So what’s your favorite Christmas song?”
“Little Drummer Boy!” I cleared my throat. “Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum.”
Alex nodded. “Yeah, I like that one too.”
I began humming the rest of it softly to myself. When I was done I looked over at Alex. “Those are the songs that just make me appreciate the season.”
We were stopped at a light. Alex saw that I was looking at the radio.
“Maybe there’s a good one on now.” Alex leaned over to turn the radio back on.
I couldn’t help but smile when “Mary Did You Know?” by Pentatonix came on.
“Oh, I love this one too!”
We began driving again. A few moment later we were pulled up to our first stop. I put the car in park.
Alex unbuckled his seat belt and started to open the door when he looked over at me. “Aren’t we going in?” He asked.
“Sure.” I pointed to the radio. “Right after this song is done.”
“Oh.” Alex closed his door and sat waiting.
When the song was done I turned off the engine. “Okay. I’m ready now.”
Alex opened his door again. “I have a feeling these errands are going to take a lot longer than usual with you playing Christmas music.”
Slice of Life 