Christmas

When Christmas Is Sad

Backstory

On my sad Christmases, I would write. The keys on my computer would fly. It might be spilling all my sorrow, putting my anger into words, shouting out the injustice of my circumstance. Others shed tears to cope. Some go away, avoiding the setting of their last happy holiday. Others return to that special place. Some folks are lost, seeking a means to calm the hurt.

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Christmas Sad – #123

There are times when Christmas is sad. You may be missing a loved one, or you may be far away from home, on your own, or you may be the one left behind with your loved one serving of a battlefield halfway across the world. Sometimes it helps to remember not only this sad Christmas, but all of them, stacked up in a row from childhood until now.

Considering all of the holidays in our lifetime, some are bound to be better than others. But, ah, the good ones were really fine. Think about them and you’ll simply HAVE to smile as you remember words and actions, laughter and love.

Take out photos and relive those times, so warm and loving. No one can take those precious memories away. They may be the greatest gift we were given. Once a good thing happens, it can always be conjured up again in your mind. It can always make you smile as you remember, relive and enjoy it all over again.

So this Christmas, whether it’s one of your best or not, may you have the comfort of memories of Christmases past and may you smile and enjoy them all over again.

Wishing you a Christmas with a peaceful heart.

P.S.

It’s so easy to become sour when holiday plans go awry or you are sad. You want to blame someone or take it out on somebody. Instead, do something for someone else – or a lot of elses.

Take over someone’s job so they can be home with family on Christmas.
Serve at a soup kitchen – dressed up nicely for the holiday.
Sit with someone who is ill, so the caregiver can be with family.

As the holidays rush upon us, don’t become the Grinch who stole Christmas. Help bring peace on earth to your little corner of the world, no matter what.

[Show #123]

Christmas Past Revisited

Updated December 22, 2019.

Backstory

We are story tellers. When our family gets together, there always has to be time for folks to tell their stories. Christmas tales are particularly popular. So many warm and happy events – and those that evoke laughter all around.

Thinking how much we enjoy them, I thought I’d tell you about them.

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Christmas Past Revisited – #511

One of my favorite rights of Christmas is when the family gets together and remembers Christmases past. We hear from each person; whether you’ve had 8 Christmases to date or 80. There is a willing audience to hear you tell about it.

Some eyes glaze over; others brim with tears as we remember loved ones with whom we used to share holiday meals and traditions and gifts and love. You can practically feel the spirit of those who used to share our lives and are here no more. How precious to bring them back to life in our memories and have them share a few holiday moments with us.

The younger family members will hear of how things used to be. The older members will probably recall family traditions or foods. We may be able to congratulate those who still carry out the traditions or lament that they exist no more.

In addition to telling our favorite Christmas stories, each person gets to tell what they are thankful for. The expected treasures are mentioned – love of the family, health, making it through another year without a major tragedy. But what is often heartwarming is to hear how grateful people are for something small done for them that really mattered: a suggestion that helped solve a problem; a contact that resulted in beneficial networking, news about people who needed help, so we could provide it.

It’s all part of the family Christmas telling tradition.

P.S.

As our family of locals shrinks and there are less oldsters and more little children, the story telling changes a bit. As we go around the table, we may hear more about a new video game, the latest posts on Instagram or delight over Taylor Swift’s latest lost love. These stories need to be cherished and valued as much as those about walking to and from school two miles, uphill each way. Throw in some microwave recipes and you modernize Christmas story telling.

[Show #511]

My Christmas Wish for You

Backstory

What makes up a “good Christmas,” in your book? Some of my best memories include the reaction to a very special gift I have made or arranged. You just love to see someone light up with delight at your gift. But other memories are of holidays that did not go well – and the special, unique or heartwarming experience that ensued.

With those thoughts in mind, comes my Christmas wish for you.

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My Christmas Wish for You – #518

As the Christmas holiday season approaches, I have a special wish for you.

May your days be spent making others feel good and may you receive in kind.

May you have a special Christmas project that puts to work one of the many gifts that have been conferred on you.

What is it that you do well? Knit . . . sew . . . play the piano or the tuba . . . fix things . . . raise money . . . talk comfortably with strangers . . . share your ideas through words, spoken or written?

Whatever your gift in life, may you have the opportunity to use it, to make the world a better place – in a large way, or a very small one. It all counts.

When you get home from shopping, may you have a warm welcome – from family, spouse, partner or a furry friend who loves you.

May you have an invitation to share a Christmas meal with others. And if you have no one, may you volunteer to work the holiday so someone with a family can spend the day home with them.

May you spread your love through your smile and your kindness and patience during this hectic Christmas season.

And when all is said and done, may you feel the true spirit of Christmas – peace on earth, or at least in your personal world, good will to men, and women too.

Merry Christmas

P.S.

My mom, my husband and I attended Christmas Mass at the cathedral in Washington, DC. As we were walking back to the car, we passed the church hall where hundreds of Christmas dinners were being served – and they were short of volunteer staffers. We looked at each other and wordlessly decided – our Christmas dinner at home would have to wait.

Hubby and I spent the entire afternoon serving, cleaning up and meeting some wonderful people who were not spending Christmas day alone, thanks to this event. Mom? She became the instantaneous official hostess, visiting every table where she shared good cheer and smiles. What a happy Christmas we had.

[Show #518]

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.

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Christmas Spirit – #390

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, 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 Santa’s, the cheer, the parties and cookies and traditions . . .even the politically correct pretense that we don’t celebrate Christmas in this country.

I love the spirit of Christmas. Peace on earth; good will 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]

Twas the Night

Backstory – ‘Twas the Night

Surely you know the traditional Christmas poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas, written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1822. My version acknowledges the tens of thousands of grandparents who find themselves raising grandchildren. Safe to say that few expected to spend retirement years caring for young’uns. This poem is a loving Christmas salute to them all.

Consider This Show – ‘Twas the Night

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‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
The sound of kids laughing reached the wife and her spouse.

These folks, in their sixties, that is apparent,
Did not expect filling their days as a parent.

But fate somehow chose them, to do it again,
One child or more, badly needing a friend.

They didn’t expect, at retirement age,
To be moms and dads, and not turning the page.

But children need love and attention galore,
And there they were standing, right at their front door.

So, here’s to the grandmas still braiding young hair,
And learning of Sponge Bob with pants that are square.

And grandpas at soccer and football and such,
Your love and devotion are meaning so much.

The kids keep you whirling around and about,
By day’s end, you’re sometimes completely worn out.

You’ve learned about iPods and lap tops and cell phones,
American Idol, the GaGa and ring tones.

You’ve put in your time at the pool and the park,
And soothed little people afraid of the dark.

Here’s wishing you strength in these rushed, busy days,
When hours rush by in a holiday haze.

Santa may bring you some sleep as your gift,
Along with the toys that you sort, wrap and lift.

He’s seen all your efforts through these many days,
He said God has seen too and sends you His praise.

And I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
Granny and Papa, now have a good night.

[Show #255]

Gifts for Grandchildren

Grand-kids are high on your Christmas gift list, if you are lucky enough to have some children of your children in your life. They are an enigma when it comes to choosing a gift they would really like.

The group printed on that sweat shirt they wanted last year, today may be “Oh, totally yesterday, Grandma.” You could misunderstand the techno talk about what they want and buy ear buds instead of headphones.

And that doll you planned to buy when your granddaughter reached just the right age? Look around her bedroom. Do you see the kind of doll collection you had at that age? Do you see any dolls at all?

When your grand-kids’ parents were growing up, you were in the house with them. You overheard conversations, received not so subtle hints and sort of had the lay of the land. With grand-kids, they may live hundreds of miles away, or their minds may seem miles away or their wish list items may cost far more than your budget.

Is the ubiquitous gift card the answer? Try asking for a Christmas gift wish list to help you out. Is Justin Bieber still on it? How about Dora the Explorer? Or you could always revert to the hand knitted scarf – With the gift card tucked inside.

Happy shopping.

[Show #510]