tavie.com

If a personal shout-out on a permanent medium containing my television show of all time wasn't enough to restore my Christmas spirit, I got the following email from Andrew. It brought me back some of my magic. The last line is particularly priceless, in classic Andrew Byro style.

Well, it's not a TV movie, but I hope it's good enoug.(sic) It's attached, but I also copied it below for ease of reading.

Andrew

Tavie's Christmas Special

Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Octavia Phillips, but Tavie to her friends, thank you. Every year come Christmas time, Tavie would celebrate unending for a month and a half, culminating in an ultimate expression of joy on Christmas day itself. This was because as a child, some of her happiest memories were of Christmas time, and while today it is often forgotten in all the presents and fox specials, Tavie truly believed in the spirit of Christmas- expressing love to those you love and receiving it in turn from others.

One year, however, Tavie was very sad. She had many problems and was trying to fix them all, and there just didn't seem to be time for Christmas spirit. She had had an argument with one of her oldest childhood friends, she had exams to worry about, people bothered her every day for commitments that she knew weren't really important, she didn't feel happy about her body, and on top of everything else, it seemed impossible to be able to get gifts for everyone. She miserably looked forward to a very unhappy Christmas this year, and possibly in years following as well.

One day while she had free time, Tavie decided to go into Macy's and see if there was anything that she could afford. She looked around, found that she didn't have enough money for anything, and decided to watch the little kids sit on Santa's lap. When she arrived, the line stretched almost out the store. When she looked up at Santa, remembering how much she had once loved this time of year, she was shocked to find that Santa was looking directly down at her. Feeling a little worried, she started to move away, until Santa motioned her to hold still. He finished up with the child on his lap, then whispered into the ear of a nearby elf. The elf ran down to Tavie and explained that Santa had specifically requested the honor of her time for a few moments, and that if she felt it a waste that it would be refunded to her.

Not sure what that meant, but still having much time on her hands, Tavie followed the Elf up the small artificial hill to Santa. Santa smiled, ho-hoed and patted his lap.

"Young Lady, I was listening to a Christmas wish when I caught sight of you. If I may say, you look very unhappy and not at all in the Christmas spirit. Why don't you have a seat and tell me what's the matter?"

Well, Tavie was still a little concerned, but didn't see any harm in it, and so sat down.

"Now what seems to be the problem?" Santa asked.

Tavie looked up into his eyes, saw the genuine kindness that lay there and before she knew it, her tongue started moving for her, and started pouring out her woes, coming close to tears by the end.

Santa listened patiently, nodding all the while, until at last she finished.

"Listen." He said. "Your problem is that you've forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. It's not just the love at Christmas time, it's love all year round. And you have to be patient sometimes and love other people. And above all else, you have to love yourself. Loving other people is hard sometimes, but it is the most wonderful, rewarding thing that there is. Love yourself, and other people, and everything will work out. Because when you love other people, you should know that they love you too, and will show it any way that they can."

Tavie was caught dumbstruck a moment then nodded. It was true. It all made sense. Leaning over, she planted a kiss on Santa's cheek. Santa laughed heartily as she got up to leave.

"One moment, please. Don't you want your present?" Santa asked. Santa pulled over a large red bag and reached into it. Expecting the usual Macy's coupons, Tavie was surprised when a small gift-wrapped package was brought out and handed to her. Santa winked and made her promise not to open it until Christmas. As she left, Santa called out "Merry Christmas Tavie, and I look forward to seeing you next year. Ho ho ho!"

It wasn't until she was a block away that Tavie stopped and blinked. She hadn't once mentioned her name the entire time. How had he...?

Tavie went home that night a different woman. She called and made up with her childhood friend, knowing that friends can sometimes test one another's patience and hurt one another but still loved each other. She contacted her friends and asked them to give her some time to work on things and they were all more than happy to do so. Before Christmas when she saw them all, she apologized that she had nothing to give them but a card or a picture that she had drawn for them, and all exclaimed over how wonderful their gift was and how happy they were. Tavie also felt better about herself and no longer felt the need to eat when she was depressed, or was depressed when she ate, and quickly became the woman that she imagined herself to be on the outside, as well as the inside.

On Christmas morning, when nobody else was awake, Tavie went to the small Christmas tree in her apartment and took out one small gift-wrapped package. Inside were a whole array of knitting needles and several balls of what were marked "Cashmere." Inside was also a small blank card, which inside only read "Merry Christmas, Tavie. –Santa"

Surprised, Tavie vowed to keep the Christmas spirit every day of the year for the rest of her life.

Of course, Tavie shouldn't really have been all that surprised. After all, everybody knows that the real Santa is at Macy's…

Why are you in Tavie's head? 9:41 PM | shower me with attention