My brother was 14 years older than me and was an over the road truck driver. Somehow he always made it home for Christmas. And though he never had much money, he always made Christmas special for all the kids. Many times he was looked forward to more than Santa. He would spend every dime he had on other people. Family, friends, or just a kid he might see that he felt needed a little something extra for Christmas.
My brother was murdered in 2001, a week after I gained full custody of my oldest daughter and two months before my middle daughter was born. Christmas has never been the same for me but when I hear that song, it brings back my memories of waiting at the window to see his semi coming down the road. And the lyrics, “if only in my dreams” has a far different meaning these days.