Merry Christmas to you!

Below are countries I can identify as visiting my blog. If your country is not here, let me know.

Thank you for visiting and Merry Christmas!

Michael

Argentina

Thanks for visiting and Merry Christmas!

Australia
Brazil
Canada
Croatia (Hrvatska)
Czech Republic
Denmark
El Salvador
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Netherlands
Norway
Old style Arpanet (arpa)
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Ukraine
Unresolved/Unknown
Russian Federation
Sierra Leone
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
United States
Vietnam
.com
.edu
.net
.org
Non Profit

The six word saying I am so fond of this time of year helps to remind me that Christmas and its sister holiday, New Years is about something different than how many presents you bought, wrapped and gave out and what parties you attended. I am reminded of the subtle nature of Christmas and New Years. I like to believe the saying brings myself and others who have said it to me to the basics of these holidays.

“Remember the reason for the season.” These six little words are a succinct sentence that packs more thought and meaning into a few words than opening up a hundred packages of all our favorite things. Whenever I hear this quaint phrase said, or say it myself, I am taking a journey back to the roots of Christmas and New Years.

A celebration of new beginnings and new hopes is where this saying takes me. When I was a child it did not mean much when I heard it. When someone said it, it felt more like a flip compensation for not buying presents. For some that is exactly what it was or is, yet for others, they are celebrating the season and giving a reminder all at one time.

They are reminding me, that it is not the number or value of presents I receive that matters, it is not even whether I celebrate Christmas or not, or whether the New Years is the best New years ever. They are reminding me to celebrate and rmember that our life is not stagnant and there are always new and exciting times to come.

When they say it, they remind me to think like a child, to find wonder and joy in my world. Even when my world does not seem to wonderful or joyous at the moment.

I was thinking about how lucky I am to be able to celebrate. How lucky we all are having a nice dinner, exchanging presents, or whatever we choose to do. How lucky I am that we were not in a war zone.

Remember the reason for the season, it’s not about presents. Rather it is about people like you and I, and those we care for, and those who care about us.

Enjoy your holidays in whatever circumstance you find yourself. There are only so many in your future and not one of them will be the same as this one. Remember the reason…

I used to think this was all there was to Christmas. After Christmas is over I would sit, and wait for New Years Eve, so I can get going with my life again. I would spend this time thinking five days until New Years Eve, four days, and three days, until New Years Eve arrived. When the New Year arrives, we either tell someone about our new intentions, or we would remind ourselves what they are, as we start to break them.

I think just like we celebrate the birth of Jesus, or at least acknowledge that is what most people are celebrating; we should also celebrate a new birth for ourselves. If we see ourselves being reborn, we can have no history of how we acted in the past, how we treated others, or perhaps even how we treated ourselves. We can have a new beginning to start the New Year.

Over the years I have come to look at Christmas in a different light. I now see Christmas with more purpose than merely exchanging presents with family and friends, and going to Church to celebrate. I now think more about celebrating Christmas, and what that means to my life. I now have more real meaning for Christmas, and the days after, other than simply giving out presents, and dreading the bills coming in the mail.

It seemed pretty pointless to me as I watched people in stores, looking depressed and angry as they were buying presents. Christmas for them had turned from something that should be looked forward to, to something endured. Some people were arguing with family members, swearing at them, and generally being mean to one another. They were buying presents not because they wanted to, but because they felt compelled to.

Christmas can be a time of us being reborn, wiping the last year(s) away, and living life in the present. The present moment is the way life is meant to be lived, and it is the moment we should be in. Living in the present moment, gives us freedom from the past, freedom to live our lives in a different way, not bound to what we did yesterday.

Living life in the moment, we can be honest with one another, and let our real self be in charge of us, instead of living our lives on autopilot, acting the same way we did the day before Christmas because that is the way we have always acted. If there is someone we are always at odds with, these first few days after Christmas can be used to decide how we really want to interact with them. I doubt in most instances how we act is what we would choose – if we stop and think before acting.

Thinking this way about Christmas does not mean that life will change over night, and everything will be wonderful. Many of the ways we treat one another has evolved over time, and it will not change easily, because it has grown comfortable for us, and those we interact with. Change will take some time of course.

Right now, in that time between Christmas, and the New Year when we have finished one holiday, and we are waiting for the next, we have time to think about our being born anew, and how we can start over and change our life. At the very worst, using this time to think about how we really want to be, and how we really treat others in our lives is useful. Using this in between time gives us a few day head start on our New Year resolutions. So even if everything does not change that quickly, we have a couple of days head start on the rest of our family and friends and their intentions.

Some of you are also very good writers. A few of you very good writers have taken the time to visit my blog, and have left comments. I hope it never gets to be ‘old hat’ for me, both the blogging, and the comments you leave. I don’t see that happening, at least not getting excited when someone takes the time to say something about my blog – hopefully positive. Thank you for your comments, they are very much appreciated!

I have seen my share of Christmases over the years, some good, and some not so good. Fortunately for us, our minds tends to smooth out the bad things, and make the good things better in our memories.

The first year I understood the concept of Santa Claus, was the same year a teenage neighbor across the street was given a Vespa scooter by his folks. I told Santa in secret that was what I wanted, and the only thing I wanted. I told Santa he could put it in the garage cum barn. I was not a happy little boy when Christmas rolled around, and there was no Vespa for me. Never mind, I must have been all of three or four.

I remember a few really great Christmases too. What made them great was the winter weather would be nice that day, along with my folks, and most of my cousins at my aunt and uncles house for Christmas dinner. Us kids would be told to go outside for the afternoon. There was playing in the snow at first, but as we grew older, there was sledding and miracle of miracles, a snow mobile! Then there was the trip to the other cousin’s for a night of playing and fun, and food! Those were great times when I was a child.

I remember one year, when the celebrating started early with my folks. We were driving out to another aunt and uncles house, and my Dad decided some poor kid all alone in a gate shack at the Air Base on the way would be happier if he stopped and offered him a drink, and a Merry Christmas. The Airman didn’t know whether to be thankful, or arrest, and possibly shoot us. Luckily for us, he realized my Dad’s intentions were good and let us go without incident.

When I grew up there were the Christmases with kids. The first belonged to a cousin I shared a house with. The second year, I could not wait for the kids to go to bed, so she would take out the kids’ presents to be put together. We would put them together and play with them most of the night! It was so much fun at the time. It was like the clock turned back during the night and we were kids again too for a few hours. It was better with my own children, and I miss those times.

I can’t say why, but this is the first Christmas in years where I am really enjoying the excitement of Christmas. It is also another year, when I can say almost everything I would want for Christmas has happened over the last year. Great memories, and good times, what more could I possibly want. Well there are always those toys I can’t afford, but that is a different matter…

As you read this, I want you to know I hope you feel content, and complete this Christmas too. I hope all of life’s joys either have come into your life, or they are on their way in a few days.
If you aren’t quite there yet, hang on! There are a lot of special gifts life is sending your way. Life’s postman is stuck somewhere in the snow is all. Merry Christmas!

Back in the sixties John F. Kennedy, encouraged us with this quote during his inauguration address:

And so, my fellow americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

John F. Kennedy, Inaugural address, January 20, 1961
35th president of US 1961-1963 (1917 – 1963)

We have done a lot since the sixties, most of it in line with the vision the Kennedy era left us. As with all good things there are a few things we do these days that I do not think are part of the American Dream. I think we have left behind parts of the American Dream. We have turned the American Dream into a few kids, a house, a steel, barbed wire topped fence, and isolation.

Humanity and compassion seem to be left somewhere along the roadside between the sixties and now. Even our own personal enjoyment of life seems to have diminished. We have lost the vision of neighbor, city, state, and country to a large extent. We are spending too much time in personal cocoons where we participate but we do not share. And then we wonder why we are some of the loneliest people on the earth today.

It is believed that President Kennedy took inspiration and maybe a little liberty with his quote from a gentleman of a generation before him. The man who Kennedy is thought to be loosely quoting is Dr. Howard Thurman. Dr. Thurman was a world traveller, meeting with many great leaders of his day. Dr. Thurman was a prolific author, and a human rights activist as well.

I would like to see more people like Dr. Thurman about in our world today. Perhaps someone like Dr. Thurman would teach us once again the importance of a balanced life. How to have respect, and compassion for others in our world. Maybe Dr. Thurman would show us how to practice what we hear in our churches weekly, and from the mouths of our leaders when desire is not the pressing issue.

I think what parents living anywhere in the United States today wants for their present, future, and their children’s future is the same across our country, and probably the world. The opportunity to live in peace, and pursue whatever future we may individually dream.

The original quote that President Kennedy was thought to have modified in his speech is this:

Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive… then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

- Howard Thurman 1900 – 1981

How great life would be if people of the world came alive! If we would stop and think our own thoughts, instead thoughts fed to us daily – thoughts intending to create fear and uncertainty. I think most of us would be surprised at what we, not the controlling influences surrounding us, think are important.

Dr. Thurman had another quote that I think is appropriate for this time of year. Dr. Thurman’s quote sure does read like the American Dream wrapped up in the Christmas spirit. My wish for you is you enjoy experiencing some of Dr Thurman’s quote over the next few weeks!

“When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others, To make music in the heart.”

There I was, a nine or ten year old boy, having his once a year experience at playing big-shot, out buying Christmas presents. I was loaded, I had almost twenty-nine dollars which was a big sum of money for a little kid. I had spent about twenty dollars of my money on the Aunts and Uncles, and Grandparents presents, which left me about nine dollars for my folks. That was two gifts, and perhaps a candy bar and a Pez for myself.

My folks wanted to go to Goldfines, which was a new super department store in our city. Because I had nine whole dollars I wanted to get something really neat for my folks, something they would really like. I was walking, going from one part of the store to another when I spotted two sets of silverware in boxes. Wow, silverware was just the thing! We did not own a real set of silverware, but rather most of a complete set, and parts of other sets. This set said it was complete and had service for eight people. Seeing there were only three of us, I thought that would be a great gift. I was all excited as I saw the price was nine dollars and twenty-three cents. I checked my pockets and I had twenty-three cents, I was in business!

I picked up one of the boxes and worked my way back to the cash registers and stood in line. I was so excited, and my parents would be so surprised and excited! I had never seen brand new silverware before, and I wondered what it was like to eat using brand new silverware? I finally made it to the cash register and placed my purchase on the counter.

It was a woman cashier, and when she finished with the woman in front of me, she took my silverware and rang it up. She looked at her cash register, and said to me, “Nine dollars and eighty-six cents.” I was shocked, I was sure the price was nine dollars and twenty-three cents, and I said so. The cashier told me I read the price wrong, and I did not include the sales tax. Tax, what was tax I asked? When she told me, I said I only had my nine dollars and twenty-three cents, and could she take that? She said no, I had to pay the tax too.

I was crushed, and I did not know what to do. I told her I didn’t have the extra money. She told me I could not buy the silverware. I didn’t want to let go of the silverware because I was sure someone else would pick it up and buy it. I took the box, and stepped away, absolutely stunned. As I stood there watching the people pay, I had an idea, a terrible and low idea, but it could work. I started asking people leaving for sixty-three cents so I could buy the silverware.

Of course no one gave me any money, I was a kid begging, and who is going to give money to a kid. I received a few mean remarks, but mostly was ignored. Someone of course was put out enough to tell a salesman what was going on. This man showed up and asked what I was doing bothering customers?

I explained my problem to him. He told me he was Mr. Goldfine and in his opinion this one time they could take my nine dollars and twenty-three cents for the silverware. I was so excited! Here was the man who owned this huge store doing business with me like I was a grown-up customer! Better yet, I could get the silverware too! I don’t remember what I got for Christmas presents that year, but I still remember what I gave out, and I remember the man that made it possible.

Starting about this time of the month radio stations would start playing Christmas music along with regular songs. It was nice to hear Christmas music playing on the radio just like I would at home. Of course the DJ running that segment had his own comments about the season, and what his family was doing for Christmas. That part was okay, because with a little remembering, I could guess what my family was doing each day.

I would remember they would like to get together as a group and shop on this day. Christmas meal planning would usually be coordinated over the phone for the Christmas feast. They would meet at one of their homes, bake cookies this day, and maybe the next day too. Then there was the individual family baking. Those little treats that one family may enjoy, that were too time consuming, or costly to share with everyone.

So it really was not too hard to be home for the holidays in my imagination. I could keep track between the calendar and my imagination what was going on at home. I think we all did this. Unfortunately being in security, and guarding something in the middle of the night with my M16 rifle, flak jacket, helmet, and flashlight for company, it was a little hard to keep the holiday spirit going. Some of the other guys in my Flight would get care packages, which would be sometimes shared at work, so that helped some.

When television was less than spectacular, and I was not working, I would occasionally listen to the radio. As I mentioned there were the regular Christmas songs, so it was easy to pretend I was close to home, but off doing something, so no family, or friends were around at the moment.

When the date moved around to about the fifteenth, it seemed one Christmas song in particular managed to be played what seemed like four times an hour. Care to guess the name of the song before you read on?

If you guessed, “I’ll be home for Christmas”, give yourself a pat on the shoulder for a good guess! It seemed that every other Christmas song played was, I’ll be home for Christmas! After about a week of it, I could hear it in the back of my head while doing other things. I could even hear it in my sleep, or so it seemed!

Every December, since I came back to ‘The World’ (as it is was called then), portions of some days, and some nights only part of me is here, and sleeping in my own bed. Another part of me, is standing next to some nineteen year old who is out in the rain, or cold, with no light, heat, or company, thinking about what his or her family is doing for Christmas, and how he or she would really like to be there too, even for a few hours.

Before I spent my time in the military, I never gave the people serving a second thought. Since then, I am very aware of how even the ‘safe’ folks overseas are sacrificing for me, so I can have a happy fun filled holiday season. I won’t even attempt to account for how the folks in combat zones are fairing. I know none of them will be home for Christmas this year, but when they do get home for Christmas, it will not be the same for them either. So when I seem a little preoccupied, it is probably because I am thinking about what Christmas means to those who are not here to enjoy it. It is hard to know what it is like serving overseas during an important holiday, unless you have been there. Lots of fun, is not one the phrases generally used to describe the Christmas season.

Every day I sit at my computer I see a box of Christmas cards off to my left. They are not special cards, or expensive, just the every day run of the mill cards that we buy at the store to fill out and mail to each other. I imagine for someone who has never been in my computer room they would seem out of place. Whether it is January or July for a number of years now, they would see the same box of cards.

The reason they are here and not in a landfill a decade go is not because I filled them out and mailed them, is because I have not. I tell myself each year, I am going to address the cards, write something personal inside of each one, and mail them. Every day this time of year I tell myself I am going to do it tomorrow for sure. I started telling myself this year I was going to write them them tomorrow back in October. That way they would be ready for December, and I would actually mail them for once.

In the mean time every Christmas season I receive Christmas cards from family and friends. I receive just enough that the guilt of myself not sending any out again is enough to spur me on to keep that box of cards out until next year. Every day they are out, and I see them I am reminded of my family and friends who have sent me cards over the years. I am grateful for those who do send me cards every Christmas, and I feel guilty I never manage to myself. This year is going to be different, or so I tell myself once again. I am going to surprise everyone who has just about given up on me. I am going to fill them out tomorrow and have them in the mail.

I have decided I am going to do the same thing with the packages I never manage to get in the mail until after New Years. Packages are a lot different. The post office gets so busy this time of year, and the carriers are working a lot more than they should have to. Then because it is so busy, all packages receive some pretty rough treatment. They get thrown, slammed, and crushed. I do not want that to happen to packages I send, so I end up rationalizing why I should wait until after New Years to send them out. That is usually when my Christmas packages are sent. Around the fifth of January.

Now my shameful secret is out and made public about Christmas. I am one of those people with great intent, and terrible follow through with Christmas cards. If you are one of the people who year after year send out Christmas cards to people like me, I am grateful you are there and you send them knowing you probably won’t hear from me. I am grateful you think enough of me for whatever reason to know how much I treasure each and every card, and how bad I feel I never mange to let you know that.

If you are someone just like me I am grateful for you too. I am grateful for you, because the reasons I am grateful this week, will be perfectly obvious to you because you are just like me. Which ever group you are in, I am grateful you are there, and you do what you do. Keep it up, I sure appreciate you!