Some Christmas memories begin in childhood. But one of my favorite traditions began well into adulthood, in bed on Christmas morning, while waking up to NPR.
That was the year I was introduced to the writer David Sedaris, as I listened for the first time to his recollections of the holidays in what has become an NPR Christmas morning tradition, The Santaland Diaries.
I smiled, then giggled, and eventually belly laughed as he described the challenges of being Crumpet the Elf at a large department store. The scenes and verbal exchanges -- whether real or imagined -- were outlandish enough to be funny yet realistic enough to be believable.
As he launched into a few bars of Away in a Manger as Billie Holiday might have sung it, my laughter continued. And, to this day, when I hear the words, "Oh little elf.....little elf," a smile returns to my face as I remember that Christmas morning over two decades ago.
If by chance you have never heard this literary gem, I hope you will find time this Christmas to enjoy it.
I'm Jim Kline, and that is my Perspective.
