t smell, some lights and sparkles all draped13) in tinsell4) carelessly tossed here and there as the young ones try to outdo each other. Send me a glass of eggnog15), ever so gently spiked16). Take your sips first, and leave the prints from your lips there on the glass for me to see and taste. Send me that sleepless anticipation of the night before Christmas, when little angels are trying so hard to go to sleep, knowing in their hearts that Santa Claus won’t come until they sleep. Share with me a glass of milk and a couple of chocolate chip cookies as we help preserve the fleeting illusions of childhood. Send me the excited shouts as little ones get their first glimpse of the piles of gifts left by Santa Claus. Send the crinkle and tear of wrapping paper and the oohs and aahs that punctuate each gift as it is exposed and shown around. Send me the hugs as everyone opens the gifts that were “just what I wanted!”
寄给我一棵圣诞树吧。那不是一棵寻常的树,而是孩子们在爸爸妈妈的协助下用自己的小手刚刚砍下来的圣诞树。孩子们都想在装点圣诞树时胜人一筹,因而急切切地将金箔丝线裹饰的亮闪闪的小灯挂得圣诞树上到处都是。把这刚砍的圣诞树的气息,连同上面的彩灯和灯的光辉都寄给我吧。请再寄给我一杯勾兑得至醇至润的蛋奶酒。你先酌饮几口,让你的唇印留在杯口,那样我就可以看见你的唇印,品尝它的味道。寄给我圣诞平安夜的无眠期待。这时小天使们都逼着自己入睡,因为他们心里知道,只有当他们睡着了,圣诞老人才会到来。和我分享一杯牛奶和几块巧克力曲奇饼干吧,这有助于保存我们那转瞬即逝的对于童年的幻想。寄给我孩子们第一眼看到圣诞老人留下的一大堆礼物时发出的欢呼声。寄给我礼物包装纸被撕开的声音和孩子们打开礼物并四处炫耀时的啊呀声。寄给我每个人打开自己心仪的礼物时所给予的拥抱。
