Sitting in the downtown Mexican restaurant on the rainy Monday before Christmas, memories of Christmas Eves past wafted into my head. Time seemed to stand still as Mother would be busy in the kitchen.
She was getting ready for the Arnold family Christmas that would happen the day after Christmas. With four children of varying ages and interests, she was working to prepare for the following day when the biggest child in the house — my father — would be giddy with the excitement of playing with his four offspring and their Christmas goodies.
He was no help whatsoever when it came to cooking the Christmas breakfast or lunch or supper. He was great help when it came to eating the Christmas breakfast, lunch, and supper and everything in between.
[Full Story »]
BROWN: Holiday happiness
The holidays can hit hard when you crash into the crossroads of your life. For the first time in twenty years, December has flown by and I find myself wondering where the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday I was choking down some collard greens and watching the “Twilight Zone” marathon on New Year’s Day. Where, oh where has the time gone?
It hasn’t felt like Christmas for me. Maybe it’s the uncontrollable weather, maybe it’s all the fighting between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” or maybe it’s just because I have been so wrapped up in my own conflicts that I have become blind to anything but my own emotions. I guess that explains why the time has flown by and holiday cheer has been lower on my list of priorities.
As I write this, the rain pounding on my window is deafening and the streets are swelling with copious amounts of sky tears. However the rain is cleansing and I see it as a sign of brighter skies to come. Nearly a month has flown by and now, suddenly, time is beginning to stand still. [Full Story »]
It hasn’t felt like Christmas for me. Maybe it’s the uncontrollable weather, maybe it’s all the fighting between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” or maybe it’s just because I have been so wrapped up in my own conflicts that I have become blind to anything but my own emotions. I guess that explains why the time has flown by and holiday cheer has been lower on my list of priorities.
As I write this, the rain pounding on my window is deafening and the streets are swelling with copious amounts of sky tears. However the rain is cleansing and I see it as a sign of brighter skies to come. Nearly a month has flown by and now, suddenly, time is beginning to stand still. [Full Story »]
Pabis: Merry Christmas
This is a magical time of year for my boys, who are four and seven-years-old. That seems to be the perfect age for all this Christmas stuff, and I’m happy to be a witness to their pure joy. Luckily, their excitement is contagious, although I’ve been feeling the urge to hibernate.
It’s cold outside, and I’d like to huddle under the covers and read a good book. I avoid the malls by doing most of my shopping online. I’d like to turn off the computer, but it seems my life is too intertwined with it to shut it down completely. At least I can curl up in my bed with my laptop and avoid social media. I get sad doing our annual Christmas cards. It reminds me of all my loved ones who live far away, and my failings in trying to keep in touch with them. Christmas is about connecting with people, yet we live so much these days through Facebook. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t feel real to me.
I am warmed by the thought that I can make connecting with those closest to me meaningful, and I can reach out to those who seem to like reaching back. I’m grateful for the distant friends who return e-mails and write letters. I’m grateful for the new friends I have found recently who are becoming so important to my boys and me. [Full Story »]
It’s cold outside, and I’d like to huddle under the covers and read a good book. I avoid the malls by doing most of my shopping online. I’d like to turn off the computer, but it seems my life is too intertwined with it to shut it down completely. At least I can curl up in my bed with my laptop and avoid social media. I get sad doing our annual Christmas cards. It reminds me of all my loved ones who live far away, and my failings in trying to keep in touch with them. Christmas is about connecting with people, yet we live so much these days through Facebook. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t feel real to me.
I am warmed by the thought that I can make connecting with those closest to me meaningful, and I can reach out to those who seem to like reaching back. I’m grateful for the distant friends who return e-mails and write letters. I’m grateful for the new friends I have found recently who are becoming so important to my boys and me. [Full Story »]
PERSON: Putting a little tacky into Christmas
Two down, two to go. Trees, that is. Christmas trees.
Mr. Fix-It and I have been talking about “wow, we really need to clear some of this out” when we began the annual decorating ritual.
“I thought we were getting rid of some of this stuff,” he observed as he stopped to mop his brow after pulling out the fourth of our five fake Christmas trees.
My response: “How do you expect me to know what I want to clear out if I can’t remember what all we have? I have to take it all out to figure out what I don’t want anymore.” [Full Story »]
Mr. Fix-It and I have been talking about “wow, we really need to clear some of this out” when we began the annual decorating ritual.
“I thought we were getting rid of some of this stuff,” he observed as he stopped to mop his brow after pulling out the fourth of our five fake Christmas trees.
My response: “How do you expect me to know what I want to clear out if I can’t remember what all we have? I have to take it all out to figure out what I don’t want anymore.” [Full Story »]
BROWN: End of the world Christmas list
Dear Santa,
I know I’ve written lists to you before, but maybe the postman can’t find you. Maybe I’m better off sending you another article in the hopes that one of the many readers will know you can send my wish list to you. It’s a long shot since it’s already Christmas Eve and I know you’re very busy. You’ll probably get this after Christmas anyway, even with Priority Shipping and the “if it fits, it ships” specials.
I don’t want a lot for Christmas, or maybe the things I want are just too big for you to handle. Other than a Christmas miracle, I don’t see how else all these things could be possible. It’s not like we could get anything spectacular from the government.
All these silly things I ask for don’t have much meaning. After everyone panicking about the “End of the World” on the 21st I realized that if it really were the end of the world, none of this stuff matters. If the world did come crashing down I know exactly what I would ask for. [Full Story »]
I know I’ve written lists to you before, but maybe the postman can’t find you. Maybe I’m better off sending you another article in the hopes that one of the many readers will know you can send my wish list to you. It’s a long shot since it’s already Christmas Eve and I know you’re very busy. You’ll probably get this after Christmas anyway, even with Priority Shipping and the “if it fits, it ships” specials.
I don’t want a lot for Christmas, or maybe the things I want are just too big for you to handle. Other than a Christmas miracle, I don’t see how else all these things could be possible. It’s not like we could get anything spectacular from the government.
All these silly things I ask for don’t have much meaning. After everyone panicking about the “End of the World” on the 21st I realized that if it really were the end of the world, none of this stuff matters. If the world did come crashing down I know exactly what I would ask for. [Full Story »]
PERSON: I believe...
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
— Clement Clarke Moore,
“A Visit from St. Nicholas,” 1822
Peeking out of a box of Christmas decorations was a faded photo folder imprinted “Santa & Me.” Inside was the image of a five-year-old dressed in red sitting on the lap of Santa Claus.
It was the thrill of a lifetime. We had a Santa Claus in the display window here at Gallant-Belk Department Store, but we seldom had Santa in person. We had to write our Christmas letters and make sure they got to the Winder Post Office in plenty of time to make it to the North Pole. If we wanted to see him in person, we had to go to Rich’s Department Store in Atlanta. [Full Story »]
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
— Clement Clarke Moore,
“A Visit from St. Nicholas,” 1822
Peeking out of a box of Christmas decorations was a faded photo folder imprinted “Santa & Me.” Inside was the image of a five-year-old dressed in red sitting on the lap of Santa Claus.
It was the thrill of a lifetime. We had a Santa Claus in the display window here at Gallant-Belk Department Store, but we seldom had Santa in person. We had to write our Christmas letters and make sure they got to the Winder Post Office in plenty of time to make it to the North Pole. If we wanted to see him in person, we had to go to Rich’s Department Store in Atlanta. [Full Story »]
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