The Last Christmas? (article) by Mel Hathorn on AuthorsDen

The last Christmas?

When I was a child, I loved Christmas. Every year I looked forward to decorations, street lights, carols—I have many of them memorized from my childhood including all the verses—the smell of cookies, and Santa Claus. When I still believed in Santa, my family had a tradition where on Black Friday, we would take the train from Wilmington to Philadelphia to visit the real Santa siting in Wanamaker’s department store. That must be where I got my love of trains.

Christmas Eve would see me awake, listening for the sound of tiny hooves on the roof. One Christmas, my parents woke me up, and I snuck down the stairs and saw Santa stuffing stockings. Scared, I ran up the stairs and hid under my blankets. Yes, I loved Christmas.

Today, I read an article by Lilith Helstrom about how this may be our last.Christmas. https://medium.com/the-left-is-right/republicans-are-the-ones-with-a-war-against-christmas-67993c41c192 The writer talks about her husband being laid off because his employer is outsourcing not only his job but most of the other employees as well. She feels that her Christmas is ruined. She continues on by claiming that this is the fault of Republican policies that favor stockholders rather than customers or employees.

While this is undoubtedly true , I feel she missed one other significant point why this may be the last Christmas. That is possibility that the mango Mussolini may be re-elected to the presidency.

Trump’s reelection may be the final straw that kills off Christmas. If Trump is re-elected next November, many of us will feel that we have lost the greatest gift we were born into, the loss of our democracy. Trump has promised that he will become a dictator on day one. It does not stretch the imagination ti realize that day one will carry over into day two, then day three and so on. For who will feel like celebrating Christmas when we have lost such a great gift.

Unfortunately, Lilith has said her Christmas is ruined this year. If we don’t vote next year, not only will her Christmas be lost not only this year but for who knows how many years into the future?

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on December 11, 2023

I never believed in Santa. But my parents were too poor to do something like your parents and make a lavish trip to Wanamaker's by train to show you the "real Santa." My remembrance of that time was when my twin brother and I were six and we went to the small town City Hall, a small wooden building with an enclosed front porch. We lined up with other kids and there was a man dressed in a red and white suit that gave us candy. By seven, I knew that the real Santa was my parents who made sure that something was under the tree for us Christmas morning.

Lilith seems to equate Christmas with money to buy things to celebrate it. I never spent money on Christmas trimmings or trappings. Only on useful presents for those I loved or needed my help. There was always plenty of good food and good cheer.

In recent years going to an assisted living place and singing my only remembered first choruses of Christmas carols for the elder ladies and gentlemen who seem to appreciate it.

To me, who is president makes little difference. But I'm with you when it comes to Donald Trump who wants to be king again like he was. Not realizing what harm he was doing while he had Christmas to himself all year long. The greatest Scrooge of all.

Ron