MY GREATEST GIFT  by Jon Holden Galluccio, author of “An American Family”

For many of us, probably most of us, the last few weeks of the year bring us so much.  So much stress, so much joy, so much sadness….an avalanche of feelings come raining down on us as we frantically shop, finish last minute business, visit family and friends, etc. 

For me, those are just the things that I add to my daily routine of working, cleaning, food shopping, cooking, cleaning again, doctor appointments, paying bills……trust me, there’s more.

So things can get a little tense around here during the holidays. This year has been no exception. 

Adam at 16 is trying so hard to be 16 and can get so frustrated and angry when he falls short.  This has always been the case but with more maturity he realizes more and more just how different he is, when all he really wants to be is like everyone else.  I think it’s exaggerated because he’s autistic but really in many ways Madison is exactly the same.  At 15 she struggles too.  My heart goes out to them as they find their way in the world.  I know it is rough.  By the age of 15, I was completely lost.

Last night, in my efforts to de-stress and create a little Christmas joy I planned a night of cookie baking.  I also bought two gingerbread kits (a house and a train) that I thought I could get Adam and Madison to do together (a little bonding perhaps?). 

You see, my two youngest children have been the best of friends their entire lives until this past year.  In my mind, cookies and gingerbread would magically make it all better.  So as I started the cookie baking they set out to create gingerbread masterpieces.  However, Adam’s definition of masterpiece was vastly different than Madison’s and it just didn’t pan out like I wanted.

Until Michael joined us and then it was magically. Within minutes of Michael sitting at the counter with us we were all laughing and having a wonderful time.  To me the castle and train are masterpieces but I doubt anyone else will see that.  It was again last night, I looked at the man I love and remembered what a gift he was to me, in fact he is my greatest gift.

He came into my world when I was only 17.  As a freshman at Glassboro State College, I was standing in the magenta and purple accented student center, when I saw him.  A gorgeous brown haired sophomore, in very short jean shorts and a TKE shirt, a short TKE shirt, came into view and I was hooked.  Whether it was lust or love at first site I can’t be really sure.  But my greatest gift was standing there, his name was Michael.

Michael has been many things to me over the past 30 years.  To say he is my rock is an understatement. He is just so much more than that, he has always been.  For everything I achieved in this world, it has been Michael that was holding me up.

For me, Michael is, was and always will be the gift that keeps on giving. So with everyone asking me over and over what I want for Christmas, the truth is that as long as I have Michael, I could be happy in a box on a street. 

My wish for all my friends and especially for my children is that you too find your greatest gift this year.  Who knows look around you may already have it.

Happy Holidays to all!

JON HOLDEN GALLUCCIO, AUTHOR OF “AN AMERICAN FAMILY” WITH MICHAEL GALLUCCIO AND DAVID GROFF, IS A FINANCIAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE WITH METLIFE. HE RESIDES WITH MICHAEL AND TWO OF THEIR CHILDREN IN NORTH HALEDON.  HE CAN BE CONTACTED AT WWW.GALLUCCIO.COM