Posted:Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:40 PM CST
Ageless Christmas Memories
Ah,winter! What a glorious season,especially with it`s white fascinating blanket of beauty. Realistially,it means that cars won`t start -you see smoking,blowing howling winds -and lots of falling snow...Just another time to store the tennis rackets, golf clubs and the lawn furniture(that`s broken)...If only there was enough room for the birdbath and the lawnmower(that won`t mow). Some people can be seen being resourceful,winterizing their cars, and houses,in case of a winter freeze...In keeping with rituals of celebrations -the season enables us to enjoy sevices at churches and beautifully decorated trees...But when it snows, the term "energy saver" does not apply to the elderly person when clearing off driveways and sidwalks ,for just a day...You get a shovel and get a rhythm going and suddenly your hip locks to one side -and your back stiffens up in some crazy way! You know you`re getting older,when it gets in the way of whatever needs doing and there`s no energy to do it -and you don`t care if it ever gets done...You`d really like to disappear when it snows -or just wait for the snow to melt with the sun...`Bout the time your body losens up and the motion`s going well, the handle of the shovel breaks in half, only to ricochet off the hood of your car and into your knee...Determined, you fervently search for another, go into the shed, trip over a ladder, slip on some grease, kick over a can of paint -and see a shovel that`s standing against a tree!!! By now,your hands are numb,and you have trouble opening the door so you can look for a dry pair of gloves (that don`t seem to match) and again venture into the snow...Meanwhile some kids are playing down the block and yell for their Mom or Dad -and you automatically answer "WHAT"?!!! -to someone you don`t even know!!! Then you retire for the day and reminisce about what Christmas really means. You begin thinking of family and friends, and the people you know...And while you remember exchanging greetings all week long, you somehow forgot to get the shopping done!! For a little while,there`s a calming peace at the sight of glowing, blinking lights, that seem to shadow box on someone`s house, nearby...You halfway expect to see Santa Clause, himself, with his reindeer and his sleigh flying high over the rooftops in the sky...And when everyone should be thinking of peace on earth, and how a kind word or a smile could make the harshest person to connect -In the malls, bustling children are scurrying around, checking their wish list amid people, having conversations, trying to be politically correct...Your thoughts stray to a time, of raising children and you think of crazy glue in their hair, and a jelly stain on the wall that really didn`t matter...You stop and focus on grandkids and if they,too,know, you`d like to be in the midst of their clatter...Suddenly,you`re back to reality, putting your shovel (in a safe place), and you hear bells, softly chimming "Silent Night" -and so many things are brought to mind...You suddenly bump into a box that wouldn`t stay shut -and a teddy bear`s arm that dangles from it, seems to say,"Welcome Home"...And in another box -higher than anyone could reach, is a well worn plastic Christmas tree(with two missing branches), making another Christmas,one of a kind.