Mark’s Christmas Tradition

Author Unknown

Several years ago, when I was living in Washington, D.C., a friend of mine from Utah County told me of his family's Christmas Eve tradition -- probably the sweetest and most touching I've ever come across. It warmed my heart and has continued to enchant me for over a decade.

Jack and Karen Brotherson of Orem are the parents of six children -- Mark, Sean, Eric, Jeanne, Rachel and Erin. As was the case with most families, the last few weeks prior to Christmas were a series of days spent at shopping malls, purchasing from catalogues, and attempting to hide presents from one particularly curious and ambitious daughter who'd made snooping an art form.

Mark, the oldest boy, managed to escape the hustle and bustle by shopping late rather than early. No, I don't mean he caught those great last-minute sales, I mean he literally would procrastinate holiday shopping until 11:00 p.m. or so on Christmas Eve. That's about the time he'd mosey down to the local convenience store and carefully select items he deemed worthy and suitable as gifts for his parents and siblings. He'd then take them home and wrap each one, oftentimes in a plain, brown grocery sack.

Imagine the glee on the faces of family members as they tore into Mark's highly anticipated, nonconformist gifts. After all, every mother wants a giant bag of beef jerky, does she not? And what teenage girl wouldn't be thrilled with a cassette tape of the Oak Ridge Boys' Greatest Hits. This was an altogether different brand of holiday cheer.

Several years ago, Mark was killed in a tragic automobile accident. The loss of this bright, beautiful boy was especially felt during the family-centered holidays, particularly on Christmas Eve. Jack, a devoted father and a man of great tenderness, decided to personally inherit Mark's tradition.

From that time forth, he assumed Mark's role as last-minute holiday shopper. The gifts (usually something along the lines of Styrofoam coolers, mini flashlights or giant Pez dispensers) are purchased then brought home, carefully wrapped, and placed under the tree. Each is tagged "from Mark." When each gift is opened, it is an opportunity to remember fondly, and usually with a chuckle, the joy of Mark's unique nature.