May the memories all be excellent

Much of what makes Christmas special are the memories of when the kids were little and the grandparents (or great-grandparents) were still alive. There was the year the Christmas tree fell into the crowd during present opening; in my family’s case, the Thanksgiving of the Radial Tire Debate lives on 40 years after the fact, even though no blows were landed.

My memories of Christmases growing up include the family attending (and in some cases being in) the live nativity drama in the front yard of our church, of my brother, sister and I being sequestered in the garage while “Santa” delivered our gifts, not by going down the chimney (the fireplace had been plastered over), but by climbing in a window like a jolly reverse burglar, according to my imaginative father. The memories include my mother, holding aloft a pair of terry cloth slippers every year as though they were the perfect present; and of my father raising a big bottle of bourbon, which actually was the perfect present.

Who can forget the excitement on their kids’ faces when they were little and entered the room Christmas morning to see what was under the tree, or the squeals of excitement over some gift? Little do we realize that every Christmas becomes part of the memory bank that makes us love the holiday.

Then, when the family is gone, whether separated by geography or by mortality, the memories remain, but it’s not the same. Those who have lost loved ones, particularly recently, struggle to get through a time of year that, in the past, was joyous. Without the loved ones, it’s hard to be joyful, even though we celebrate the birth of a savior whose promise is eternal life after death.

We associate Christmas with being happy. That not only compounds any sadness, but it also makes us sensitive to the happiness of others. We who are Scrooges 364 days a year will gladly contribute money and gifts to help make sure some unknown but poor child does not awaken to a merry-less Christmas.

Hopefully, this Christmas will result in wonderful memories that will last forever, just as the gift of a savior whose birth we celebrate is a gift that lasts into eternity.

Mark Beardsley is the editor of The Commerce News. He lives in Commerce.

Merry Christmas to all.