Many, many thousands, perhaps even millions of people suffer with the "Holiday Doldrums."
Especially those who ever lost a loved one just before, during, or just after - The Christmas Season. Just like the TV commercials say: "Depression Hurts Everyone!"
It affects everyone's attitude and demeanor, as well as fortitude. Such sadness turns normally cheerful, up-beat individuals into EBENEZER SCROOGES - BAH! HUMBUG!
The following little 'story' is intended to try to lift someone's morale ... just a tad maybe?
KARLA - In the immortal words of the immortal poet -
"Parting is such sweet, sweet sorrow..."
My Dad died in 1985, at the age of 84, and he was the best PAL I ever had! But now, 26 years later, his picture of when he was young - long before I was ever born - rests peacefully on a shelf, right in front of me, over top of my pellet stove. Inserted within the frame is a smaller picture of both Mom and Dad, at their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Every Christmas, I remember when I was a kid, and helped him to set up our Christmas Garden, and go with him on Christmas Eve, down to the Market on Light Street to pick out our tree, and carry it home. Delicately putting the little tacks in the railroad tracks - testing the Lionel Train (which I still have from 1954) - trimming the tree - Aunts and Uncles and other long-gone Family Members, gathered around the ole Piano, and playing and singing Christmas carols - then, all bundling up and going to Midnight Mass -
Aah - My Dear - Those were the days! But now, I see them all - gathered around a White Baby Grand, up in Heaven - "Chirping" the same Tunes - Biding their time, waiting for me to join them! "Lord Willin' n' the Crick don't Rise" - some day that will happen soon enough.
In the meantime, I choose to subdue any sadness - and every time I either hear a Christmas Carol, or 'chirp' one myself - I SMILE - because 'they' - like God, are always with me!
Merry Christmas Dear Woman! Remember "The Good Times" and KNOW that your Daddy would Not want you to be sad - Rejoice and Be Glad! For HE is Risen!
TomKat - 70 Year-Old 'Fuddy-Duddy' who KNOWS BETTER! HUGS!
"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL ... AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
So do I, my friend, and I have some truly marvelous memories. And I also pull out the cherished old ornaments and Christmas photos and keepsakes, and I make a toast to all my loved ones now departed.
Wonderful writing, Tom, and I know what you mean. I still miss my mom and dad; mom died on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1990 at the age of 59 1/2 (too, too young when she died!), and my daddy died on May 28, 2008, at the age of 77 (he would have been 78 in October of that year). The holidays just don't mean that much to me anymore; missing my parents, homesick for Ohio, snow/cold ...
Try to have a very Merry Christmas!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Texas, Karen Lynn. :(
In the meantime, I choose to subdue any sadness - and every time I either hear a Christmas Carol, or 'chirp' one myself - I SMILE - because 'they' - like God, are always with me!
Thank you for sharing these fine and wise thoughts, Tom. Love, peace, and blessings to you,
A wicked Cajun Fairy named Robes Pierre entered the impenetrable Magical doll land of Sha Bebe. Queen Faustina, the ruler of the doll land, thought she had destroyed him, but he's back! Will the doll land survive his evil ways?
