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<blockquote data-quote="DazedandConfused" data-source="post: 590015" data-attributes="member: 831"><p>I love threads like this, but struggled to find something to contribute until I read your post, nerfherder. I've shared a few times before, but so that someone reading this will understand, I had a alcoholic, compulsive gambler, and sociopath for a father. He could be cruel and vicious, and mostly he was while alive. However, every great once in a while, something must have snapped in his otherwise malformed brain to do something out-of-the-blue amazingly wonderful. </p><p></p><p>As a toddler, Daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia. Due to the length, and intensity, of the treatment, I had to quit my job to care for her. husband had just started a new job and although it came with a steady salary, it was lower than average than what we were used to. Eventually, we had to sell our beautiful home and pare ourselves down to one car (we had three). We moved into a mobile home on a farm that husband's employer owned. </p><p></p><p>We scrapped by as best we could over the next year. Daughter was 3 and I discovered I was pregnant with Son. Christmas was coming and needless to say, we didn't have money for presents, but managed to scrounge enough to purchase a tree. It was really quite beautiful and I had a some decorations I had collected over the years, but I wanted something really special for Daughter's Xmas that she might actually remember. Then, I recalled that I bought a bunch of Xmas wrap-related items a few year before when I local store went out of business. Everything was 75% off and I kind of went crazy (I just used the last of the wrapping LAST YEAR). So, I began rummaging through the tiny garage and looking through the stuff to see if I could make some things to hang on the tree. I had bought a TON of curling ribbon and lots of hooks. </p><p></p><p> I went to town making ornaments and braiding it for garland. I curled, straightened, and manipulated, covering that tree. I found some packages of discounted light strings and put those on it too weaving more curling ribbon. The tree was stunning when I was done and out of all the trees I have had over the years, that one was by far my favorite. I wish I had taken a picture of it. No camera phones in those days. </p><p></p><p>Then, on Christmas Eve, I get a phone call from my Dad. He would like to come over and play Santa Claus and bring presents for Daughter. Huh? My Dad? The one who believes Christmas is pagan and whose religious beliefs forbid it? The Dad that flew into a rage when my sister and I envied the holiday celebrations of other families? The grandfather who can't be bothered to see his granddaughter during her arduous chemotherapy?</p><p></p><p> Sure, come on over. </p><p></p><p>*Boy, did he ever. Carrying a karaoke machine singing "Here Comes Santa Claus" with a big bag of presents swung over his shoulder dressed in full Santa Claus regalia. Needless to say, I was stunned, yet delighted for Daughter who wasn't sure what to make of the whole spectacle. I played along and Daughter got tons of loot. To this day, I don't know why he did it and I certainly knew not to ask then, but it was one time my Dad managed to bring some awesome into my life.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="DazedandConfused, post: 590015, member: 831"] I love threads like this, but struggled to find something to contribute until I read your post, nerfherder. I've shared a few times before, but so that someone reading this will understand, I had a alcoholic, compulsive gambler, and sociopath for a father. He could be cruel and vicious, and mostly he was while alive. However, every great once in a while, something must have snapped in his otherwise malformed brain to do something out-of-the-blue amazingly wonderful. As a toddler, Daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia. Due to the length, and intensity, of the treatment, I had to quit my job to care for her. husband had just started a new job and although it came with a steady salary, it was lower than average than what we were used to. Eventually, we had to sell our beautiful home and pare ourselves down to one car (we had three). We moved into a mobile home on a farm that husband's employer owned. We scrapped by as best we could over the next year. Daughter was 3 and I discovered I was pregnant with Son. Christmas was coming and needless to say, we didn't have money for presents, but managed to scrounge enough to purchase a tree. It was really quite beautiful and I had a some decorations I had collected over the years, but I wanted something really special for Daughter's Xmas that she might actually remember. Then, I recalled that I bought a bunch of Xmas wrap-related items a few year before when I local store went out of business. Everything was 75% off and I kind of went crazy (I just used the last of the wrapping LAST YEAR). So, I began rummaging through the tiny garage and looking through the stuff to see if I could make some things to hang on the tree. I had bought a TON of curling ribbon and lots of hooks. I went to town making ornaments and braiding it for garland. I curled, straightened, and manipulated, covering that tree. I found some packages of discounted light strings and put those on it too weaving more curling ribbon. The tree was stunning when I was done and out of all the trees I have had over the years, that one was by far my favorite. I wish I had taken a picture of it. No camera phones in those days. Then, on Christmas Eve, I get a phone call from my Dad. He would like to come over and play Santa Claus and bring presents for Daughter. Huh? My Dad? The one who believes Christmas is pagan and whose religious beliefs forbid it? The Dad that flew into a rage when my sister and I envied the holiday celebrations of other families? The grandfather who can't be bothered to see his granddaughter during her arduous chemotherapy? Sure, come on over. *Boy, did he ever. Carrying a karaoke machine singing "Here Comes Santa Claus" with a big bag of presents swung over his shoulder dressed in full Santa Claus regalia. Needless to say, I was stunned, yet delighted for Daughter who wasn't sure what to make of the whole spectacle. I played along and Daughter got tons of loot. To this day, I don't know why he did it and I certainly knew not to ask then, but it was one time my Dad managed to bring some awesome into my life. [/QUOTE]
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