Posted by marie on Nov 26, '07 4:00 AM for everyone
It was going to be our 1st Christmas as husband and wife.
I was 23 yrs. old and 5 months preggy in our tiny "John & Marsha" railroad track home. We had a bedroom up the stairs and a mini kitchen/ living area below. The only bathroom was out of the house, so any middle of the night visits meant going down those rickety stairs, out to the laundry area ("over the river and through the woods "!)
Joey and I had agreed that because of our financial situation (we had plunked all our savings and all our wedding money to help pay the Massacre mess), we would buy our families presents but not give each other gifts anymore.
December came and we had a little starter Christmas tree, a tabletop version with twinkly lights. On Christmas Eve, our small pile of wrapped gifts for our families surrounded that tiny tree.
While fixing the house, my eye saw something hidden. It was a big cube of a gift , more than 1 and a half foot high.Carefully wrapped in green and red. On the card I saw my name and recognized the handwriting. Joey's! On it was written..."This is not really a Christmas gift but I thought of you when I saw this..."
"Why that sneaky guy!" I thought. "he got me a present after all!" And what a big present it was! Curiosity got a hold of me so I held the box in both hands and shook it. As I held it to my ear I heard a muffled, metallic, clanking sound. What could it be?!? My imagination started to fly..."Maybe, he got something for the house! It's too light to be a stereo...but he got something special for me!" In panic, I realized I had nothing for him.
In my parents home, my mom had a "Gift Closet". Somehow you could walk in there and find something to wrap and give away. Even my sons when they were little, loved going in there,make believe it was a fortress, turn off the lights, scare each other, etc. So I made a hurried visit that Chrismas Eve and came home with a free, pricey men's cologne for my hubby.
I decided, I was going to really surprise him by pulling out that gift at the very last minute.
As the 2 of us hunkered down to enjoy our little dinner for 2, I relished my little secret. Our surroundings were depressing, but we were just happy to be together.
When I couldn't resist it any longer, I hollered "Surprise!!!" and brought out his nicely wrapped gift. Bewilderment crossed his face as he unwrapped his cologne. "But I thought we had agreed not to give each other presents?" "Well, you broke it! " I laughed. "I know you hid something for me so don't pretend anymore!" Gaily, I brought out the big box from it's hiding place.
Brushing off Joey's flustered protests, I started opening my present. How exciting! My 1st christmas gift from my hubby!
As I tore off the wrappings and opened the box, there it lay...
A pee-pee pot. My very own urinola.
I still can see the gleaming, white metallic pee-pee potty with the red edge on its lid.
I had no idea then what it was for. Joey had to describe to me how to use it. When it finally dawned on me that my first ever Christmas gift from my hubby was an unglamorous pot to sit and pee on in my bedroom, I'm not sure if I laughed 'til I cried or I cried 'til I laughed.
Through my tears, I heard 25 year old Joey's earnest, hurried, explanation, " I heard when you're pregnant, you go to the bathroom more. I thought of you going down those stairs and out in the dark and didn't want you to get hurt..."
In the beginning, that urinola was a symbol of how depressing, miserable and discouraging my life had become. But God showed me the other side. He showed me a husband who cared for my welfare and gave me his best.
The years have gone, and we have moved house 7 times. I took that urinola (still unused) along with us til it died of old age. It became a symbol of Hope and a reminder for me. That despite the discouragement and the weariness of life, I should pause and see the other side. There is Hope. Problems are temporary. Someone cares for me.
God comes with an unexpected Gift. He's come to give you Hope.
He gave it in the darkness of that first Christmas night.
Today, He gives it still.
 | thank you for sharing this! :-) |
 | What a great story. Thanks for sharing this with us to help us stay focused on the things that really matter, Family. We must always keep our focus on Jesus Christ and the love that He has given to us. |
 | Great Story!! There is always hope there is always change!! |
 | Nice and heartfelt. While reading your story and seeing the word "urinola" over and over, I realized the word "urinola" actually sounds kinda hip (as long as you don't think of what it's supposed to be used for). haha!
As I was hoping to see a photo of the urinola, a thought occurred to me...you and P. Joey really complement each other...He got the urinola and you brought the cologne! What a tandem! ;) |
 | now Joey gave me an idea. hmmm... |
 | tita marie.. i want to see that urinola next time i visit your house... pwede mo na sya pa-auction...hehehee.. the urinola that gives hope... merry christmas... i still remember the advent nights we had in your house a few years ago... thanks for allowing me to be part of that... |
 | oh marie, thanks for sharing this story. what makes this more powerful for me is you have lived this very message...you've always spoken hope and encouragement even to the direst situation whether it's your own or somebody else's. i thank God for His gift of hope (which is undying!) and i thank God for a friend like you! miss you! |
 | The sweetest among the sweetest couples in town! You are always a winner Marie! |
 | what a great story tita marie!
thia epitomizes the saying "it's the thought that counts" |
 | Jennie! I've been trying to call you ! It just keeps ringing. Will try later tonight ;> |
 | nakakaiyak naman to....thanks for sharing this. ibang klase talaga kayo ni pastor joey! keep those stories coming! (parang comedy-drama eh) |
 | whatta beautiful story! i will never look at an urinola the same way anymore :) |
 | Marie, your urinola story made me cry. I love stories of hope..or love stories like this. It assures us that God really has our best interest in mind no matter how the circumstances may look.. He doesn't grant our prayers instantly but he wants our faith and character to develop..to be more like Christ! Thank you for sharing!
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 | gosh, your blogovelas really make me laugh and cry all at the same time...! :) |
 | ako din naiiyak! waaaaahhhhh! |
 | this makes my bilib to Joey skyrocket! Thanks for sharing that story.. it's so inspiring . and funny too ! :) |
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ita marie.. i want to see that urinola next time i visit your house... pwede mo na sya pa-auction. 