Over the past several days I have watched multiple versions of the movie "A Christmas Carol". There has been the 1935, the 1953 and the 1990's telling of what has to be the definitive Christmas story, penned by Charles Dickens in 1843.
You may well say that the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future have made quite a few visits.
I know that there are many who wish that the whole business of the holidays would just go away. They would like nothing better than to wake up and find that they have missed it completely. There are many known to who feel that the the buying of presents, for people not well liked, the putting up a tree and other decorations starts way too early and the endless din of Christmas music heard the whole day long is more that anyone should have to bear. BAH HUMBUG.
To be true, the old geezer cannot look back at some Christmas seasons with undiluted pleasure.
My early memories of Christmas date back to the orphanage. While there was a tree and bright lights and a few outings to mark the season, the whole experience was not entirely well received. The nuns in charge had a knack for pulling donations out of the pockets of the well to do. Putting small unwanted children on display was a sure way to tap into the guilt of folks. The money poured in and presents received for 'the poor children' were locked away to be used as bribes in the future. To say that Christmas was mean would be to put it mildly.
Then I met John and the true meaning of Christmas revealed itself to me. How well I remember the first Christmas. There was an enormous tree in the living room. I had bought many strings of lights to put on and tree and was feeling in a most festive mood. John pointed out to me that the lights bought were the sort that one placed on bushes and the such OUTSIDE of the house. I knew that. I wanted to make sure that when the tree had been lighted the light coming from the tree would blind you. What a sight it was and to this day remains one of the special memories of Christmas.
There were many Christmas seasons spent with fond memory. Christmas celebrated in many different parts of the world. Christmas in Stockholm was special as were the ones had in Paris, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and London. London, now there was Christmas remembered. The whole English manner in celebrating the holiday appealed to me.
Hawaii is completely different to manner in which Christmas has been celebrated in the past. It is hot and the sun shines all day and there is nothing remotely common with the memories of Christmas past connect to it. There is however the spirit of ALOHA, a spirit that seems to get stronger during the Christmas season and just wraps you in warm blanket of love. It is also the place John loved most and it is where John rests.
Christmas, for me, is a collection of past memories that fill me with hope and remind me of the love received and the many kindnesses received. Christmas is a time I remember all of the people met during my walk through life. People who have become a part of who I am.
Many years ago I received a little article cut from a newspaper. It was inside a card received and has become a tradition of mine at this time of year. I would like to keep that tradition going...
I have a list of folks I know all written in a book.
Every year at Christmas I go and take a look.
That is when I realize that these names are a part
Not of the book they are written in but of my heart
Each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime
And in the meeting they have become the "rhythm of the rhyme"
While it sounds fantastic for me to add this claim
I really believe I am composed of each remembered name
While you may not be aware of any special link
Just meeting you has shaped my life more than you can think
Once you have met somebody the years cannot erase
The memory of a pleasant word or friendly face
So never think of my Christmas card is just a mere routine
of names upon a list, forgotten in between
For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you
It is because you are on the list of folks I am indebted to
You are a part of the total of many folks I have met
You happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget
Whether I have known you for many years or few
In some way you have had a part in shaping things I do
Every Christmas I realize anew
The biggest gift that life can give is meeting folks like you.
This time of year I remember so many. Carol, the lovely lady who sent me the clipping. Randy and Jack. Anita, my 'aging hippie' friend who never gave up on her community. Paul who was my friend and is sorely missed this Christmas. Roy who allowed the old geezer to get some pretty good deals and will always be remembered as the person who helped me have the best Halloween ever. Laura who shared so much of herself and has a heart as big as Texas. Paul who has been a better friend that I deserve and reminds me that caring and sharing are just a natural part of his make-up. The Big Kahuna who helped this old geezer through a rough patch and allowed me to celebrate his Christmas Eve with his family. Ron who tries to act so mean most of the year and overcomes his mean nature to put on a Christmas Eve gathering for many folks who would not otherwise has a Christmas. Ron who spends much of what he has little to give presents to all who come to his gathering. Alan who pretends to hate Christmas and has more of the true meaning of Christmas in him that any I know. Angie who married my brother and tries to create a family for him. James who overlooks the faults of his friend and tries to makes sure that the spirit of Christmas is there for him, even if he does not appreciate. Rocky who tries to keep the spirit. The flood of faces and names is endless. I have been blessed by so many and loved.
Truth be told there are folks not named but still very much a part of my memories this day. If not today, they have been mentioned in the past and will be very much on my mind as I celebrate Christmas this year.
A special thanks to the dear old friend who sent me the snap of me when I was 24. It touched me so much that I made sure to place a snap of me as I am today. Odd how I still do not smile...
Like Scrooge, I will try to keep Christmas in my heart the whole of the year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS MY DEARS AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT...
