For years, I thought that the Horton family from Days of our Lives lived exclusively in the large television cabinet in my grandparent’s living room. It was the only place I saw them. Grandma Elsie seemed to know them intimately, calling each by name. Wrapped in the coil cord, talking about them on the party telephone line for hours while cooking in the kitchen. And why wouldn’t it be possible? There were countless people who dropped by that farm house. Sat at the table. I thought we were all related. I didn’t differentiate between blood connections, neighbors and soap opera characters. Often stories of real happenings were more extravagant than those taking place in Horton’s Salem. 

When we gathered for Christmas, there were the usual suspects — all the cousins I summered with in golden fields — but I found the additions the most interesting. Ruby, married to Mac who secretly worked in the CIA, (but then how did we know?). Several Loies. Aunt Kay’s newest husband. Did they all live in the television too? And how did they get here? Certainly there was magic in the air. All under the glow of large multi-color bulbs on the Christmas tree. Sure there were packages, ribbons, bows, but so much more was being opened. Arms and stories and magic.

I guess they are still my favorite gifts — love’s surprises that show up and are ever welcomed home. Finding me still, a lifetime and country away. The magic, if we truly believe, never ends.