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Christmas Memories 12/14/2005 3:33:19 AM
Christmas brings to my mind some incredible memories of my youth. I can remember one time when I was around 8 years of age when my Aunt and Uncle gave me a set of walkie-talkies. At that time walkie-talkies were the rage and to have one was a real treat. I was elated to have such an up to date 'real' set of walkie-talkies. I was shocked and excited to the point of being speechless. I could talk with my brothers in another room which at that time was a real feat. I also remember leaving cookies for Santa and wondering when during the night he came and ate them. Do you remember that? I swear I heard him one Christmas eve night coming into the house with all his toys and goodies.
Do you remember years ago when vast stretches of homes with all their lights glowed brightly amid banks of whitened snow? I do. I remember those years clearly. Snow was piled taller and higher than me standing on my tiptoes. It was awesome to run out the front door and jump into this huge pile of snow. We threw snowballs, made snow angels well sort of snow angels, and then settled in and made our own personal snowman. Oh, how I loved to make snowmen. Once completed he looked so majestic and had rocks for eyes (we didn't have coal), a carrot for his nose, and whatever clothing we could spare. Can you remember those days?
Then, as I got older Christmas started to take on a different memory. It no longer was this jumbo celebration with all the toys and family meeting to eat and celebrate but became a smaller group of people who loved each other but sensed many losses. I remember how that group kept shrinking as the years went by. I lost this uncle or that aunt. It didn't strike me until I became older how much I was losing while I was growing finding my own way in life.
Now as I face my later years I can begin to understand the loss of uncles and aunts. I lost my sister-in-law several years ago. She was only a few years older than I. Her loss struck me and opened up my awareness that helped me begin to see and feel life differently. Christmas lost a lot of its shimmer and glow but that simple string of lights that formed my life had not completely burned out. I was able to rekindle my inner light and to devote a greater portion of my life to creating a new path full of awareness and connected deeply with others. I did this not only for myself but for others.
If you feel lonely or are sorrowful this Christmas do like I did and remember those days of fun and laughter. Remember how many people loved and appreciated you for all the antics, times of playfulness, and moments of true joy you gave to them. Remember those moments of surprise when given those unexpected gifts not only at Christmas but at other times during the year. Be different than the rest of the world and look beyond the physical giving of gifts and remember your Creator's love during this time of renewal. Realize what a gift such a love is and what a gift we could all share together as one.
You are your Creator's greatest gift presented to this world for all to see.You can follow a path of joy throughout your life but only if you choose that path. Christmas is a time of giving. Instead of giving things let's give ourselves to others. Let's serve each other and create a world of peace and wonder as our minds begin to awaken and our eyes begin to see all the gifts we were given by our loved ones and our Creator. Doing this would truly make this Christmas a special time to remember.
