Story Library

Christmas Spirit

Backstory

Here we go again. We find ourselves right on the front edge of the holiday season. Time to be festive, jolly, and filled with the spirit of giving. Although celebrations and traditions have changed over time, the spirit of Christmas lives on. This story was written when I considered what turns on my Christmas spirit.

Christmas Spirit

What gets you in the Christmas spirit? What’s the trigger that pushes you over the edge and gets you humming carols and shopping at craft fairs, visiting local businesses, looking for just the right gifts, and updating addresses for old friends in preparation for sending Christmas cards?

But you know, it makes me wonder what commercial establishments are thinking when they drag out the holiday decorations before Halloween. Do they think that will put me in a buying mood? Who put that marketing idea in their heads?

By Thanksgiving, I am ready for the holidays. I’m psyched about the spirit of giving. But trying to inspire me in October? You won’t get my ho-ho-hos for that!

When I do get the spirit, though, I feel jolly right through the new year. I still love the parades, the Santas, the cheer, the parties, the cookies and traditions, and even the politically correct pretense that we don’t celebrate Christmas in this country.

I love the spirit of Christmas. Peace on earth, goodwill toward men; the essence of giving that permeates the holiday season, whatever you are celebrating at this time of year.

Yep, I think I’m ready. Bring it on!

P.S.

Don’t let the commercialization of Christmas get you down. Create your own little version of how you want to celebrate the holidays and follow the plan. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to prove you get it. But you could spread a lot of love. It’s delicious, it’s festive, and it’s free.

[Show #390]

Ornaments and Memories

Backstory

For decades, ornaments have been accumulated for the family Christmas tree. Today, they are out of sync with modern holiday culture. See what happens to the boxes of ornaments displayed in garage or estate sales. Glitzy, homemade, delicate glass or practical plastic, these ornaments once meant a lot to someone. But they’re usually left behind by the bargain hunters. They find themselves un-owned, unprotected, and unwanted. After fifty years of dealing with my own collection of ornaments, it was my time to face their future.

Ornaments and Memories

Do you remember the Christmas tree decorations of yore? The delicate colored and painted glass ornaments, those made out of clay or paper by school children, the special anniversary ornaments commemorating a new baby or a wedding or some other special event. For years, I decorated our Christmas tree with these ornaments, remembering the story each ornament held.

Today, the style of tree decorating is different. We may choose a certain color scheme that all the ornaments must match. Or the giant seven-foot tree may be reduced to a tabletop size in a downsized home.

I was in that position. So, one year, I packed the special ornaments into an orange crate that had a separate cubbyhole for each one. I took the crate to the holiday family gathering and put it on the table after dinner. We all got to share the memories conjured up by those old ornaments and touching was definitely allowed.

This year, the orange crate will disappear. I’m going to give the ornaments away. Each child and grandchild will get at least one, and some will be set aside for future great-grandchildren. It’s my way of keeping the memories going. Whether the orange crate tradition lives on through the next generations, or goes the way of the choo-choo train under the Christmas tree, at least I’ve done my part for this year’s Merry Christmas.

P.S.

It was gratifying to see how well received my bundles of ornaments were. Recipients recognized many, welcomed others, and gushed over the really special pieces I had highlighted. Whether or not they actually get hung on a tree has yet to be seen. But at least for now, they are in loving hands and seem to have a bright future.

[Show #516]

Obsolete Words

Backstory

It all started when I said to a young person, “Aw shucks.” It was meant to be a joke. But she had no idea what that meant. I realized she had probably never heard the comment. Oh dear! I had used language that is no longer spoken. I’m a dinosaur!

Obsolete Words

Someone sent me an email with obsolete words. They are the words or phrases that were common in our youth, that are never heard today.

Some would be considered politically incorrect – Like the Honeymooners’ threat to “send his wife to the moon.” When there was a guilty person to be found, you might hear – “The milkman did it.” Today’s kids would have no idea who that was.

How about – “Hey! It’s your nickel: . . . “Don’t forget to pull the chain” . . . “Knee high to a grasshopper.”

A junk car was known as a jalopy. When was the last time you heard – jalopy?

To someone repeating themselves, you might say – “You sound like a broken record.” Sure has no relevance today.

Believe it or not, a darn good cuss word was – “Fiddlesticks!” A really cool exit greeting – “I’ll see you in the funny papers.” A caution – “Don’t take any wooden nickels.”

And now, those words are obsolete. The words we grew up with have vanished with scarcely a notice from our tongues. our pens or our keyboards.

P.S. For any parent who wants to masquerade as cool, Hugateen.com has published Ultimate List of Teen Slang Meanings Every Parent Should Know. That should keep you in the groove –at least for another month or so. Use the slang in the wrong context and instead of cool, you’ll appear Cheugy – out of date, trying too hard. There may be no hope!

[Show #648]

You Add Color!

Backstory

It was one of the most touching compliments I ever heard. He turned to her and said, “You add color to my life.” What a delightful place to have in this world; being the person who adds color to the life of another.

You Add Color

Of course, you have to be careful with those people. They tend to color outside the lines. Their idea of being colorful may be another’s idea of being naughty or a bit too bold.

It’s the price you have to be willing to pay, I think, to have color in your life. You could go with plain vanilla, people who are ordinary and stick to the rules and will never rip the tag off that pillow under penalty of law.

Oh, but the joy that can be inspired by those who add color to life. The audacious friend who may show up in vintage garb; the child whose curiosity may result in minor explosions or major confrontations, the spouse who thinks nothing of throwing her arms around her loved one, right out in public when she is moved to do so.

They make life fun, these daredevils who sparkle. And when their deeds are well-meaning and honest and sincere, well, they often lead to lessons from which we can learn and maybe even become a little more colorful ourselves.

P.S. The colorful person in my life is my sister Karyn; a positive thinker, curious and willing to explore the unknown. She dragged me along at times until we’d wind up giggling together. Other times, I bailed her out! But never, ever was it dull. This frisky redhead kept us all in a tizzy. She still does!

[#500b]

My Friend Is Dying

Backstory

I read somewhere that part of the privilege of being human is getting a moment when we can say goodbye.

How would you react if a friend shared with you that her death was imminent? What would you say or feel? What kind of support would you offer and then provide? That’s what I had to figure out.

My Friend Is Dying

We had worked together, years and years ago. When I left our mutual employment, we maintained the friendship from a distance. We’d catch up, a couple of times a year and it was like we had talked just the day before.

So her call today was most welcome. But her voice, somehow, was different. Just as joyful, but somehow serious as well. “I am dying,” she told me. Matter of fact, straight forward. No embellishment. A simple statement.

I knew she was battling one of those unfair and deadly diseases. But they had kept it at bay; until now.

“I’m not afraid,” she told me. I’ve done right during my life, I know the Lord, and I am ready.” She was headed to hospice.

My first thought was that I had to go and see her. Then I thought better of it.

We had not been in the same room together in 32 years. I had an image of this tiny, exuberant blonde lady with beautiful blue eyes. The right direction now was to let us both keep our images of our young and eager selves.

There are lots more phone calls. They get more difficult as the days roll by.

She has less stamina and coherence.

But here we are together, keeping our friendship fresh and bright, right to the last day. On one phone call, when we say goodbye, it will be goodbye for good.

P.S. And that was that. We laughed on our phone calls and shared heartfelt imaginary embraces. The inevitable was seldom mentioned No need for discussion on that. The purpose of our calls was to relive good days and repeat the mantra of gratitude for having had each other in our lives.

[Show #649]

Open the Next Door

Backstory

It’s natural to dislike change, especially when it takes you out of your comfort zone. Changes we face today seem evolutionary and progressive; often frightening. Accommodating change may take a new way to create a password or require elaborate transformation. Flexibility is necessary just to keep pace.

Open the Next Door

When one door closes, another one opens. I truly believe that and have seen it come true so many times. I’m at the point now where I can hardly wait to find out what will be around the next corner. Blessing, challenge, demand, new person to make a change in my life; it’s all an adventure to be cherished and enjoyed.

There’s a country song that “thanks God for unanswered prayers.” We are SO SURE that we know exactly what is right for us. The right companion, the right job, the right family size. Then the universe comes along with its own ideas – and we find that they are so much better than what we had in mind.

My beloved husband once told me a secret. He said, “I really wanted to have a special someone in my life. I knew what she would look like, and sound like, and I told God all about it and asked him to send her to me.

Instead of sending me who I wanted, God sent me who I needed.”

So when the door closes, don’t get stuck in what you wanted in the past.

Instead, reach out and turn the knob on the next door before you. Be open to the possibilities and be willing to take a second look.

What you WANT may have escaped. What you NEED might just be right before your eyes.

P.S. There is strength in the belief that all things happen for a reason. Sometimes we discover the reason; sometimes we just have to go with the flow. In either case, a kind and gentle approach will usually orchestrate the best outcome.

[Show #645]

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