Posts
The
FOURTH CHRISTMAS GHOST?
The Ghost of Christmas Never To Be ...
Again.
Perhaps Christmas
will never be as innocent
as we remember
because we are not
as innocent as we were then.
Families were bigger in the Christmases of the Past
Now, single child families are the norm ...
where Mommy and Daddy
may be separated, divorced, or
never together
in the first place.
LONELY
is now the word that comes to mind
at the mention of
Christmas
for many
when once it used to be
JOY
POVERTY
Christmas has become a season of sorrow for many women who can barely put food on the table,
much less presents under the tree.
My mother was one such person.
Weeknight movies were cheaper than weekend showings.
On the way back to our basement apartment,
we would walk down dark, scary streets holding hands
and singing our theme song, Side By Side:
Oh! We ain`t got a barrel of money
Maybe we`re ragged and funny
But we`ll travel along
Singing a song
Side by side
Maybe we`re ragged and funny
But we`ll travel along
Singing a song
Side by side
Mother scooped up the largest fallen branch from the lot selling them and brought it home.
Topped with shiny aluminum scraps from Hershey's kisses,
it was just as wonderful to me as the one in New York's Time Square.
CHRISTMAS MAGIC
Can be conjured to push back the 4th Christmas Ghost, if we but cling to the truth that love and imagination
is within the heart of each of us to share
with all those in our world who are going through harder times than they appear.
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Celebrate Christmas Eve in 1946
New Orleans.
The ghost of Charles Dickens
recommends it!
It is a sad time for many. This world has slowly drifted apart when it comes to families.
ReplyDeleteFamilies used to be the glue that held communities together -- now, everything is drifting apart as you say.
DeleteChristmas however leaves hope. That has always been the beauty of it. It's not the same for all of us. It's not any better than a normal day to us. But I think that we all celebrate christmas somehow. That's always been the thing I liked about any festival including christmas. It leaves hope, dreams and expectations. My family does not celebrate Christmas day particularly but my country does. The streets, schools and the nearby houses does. That way, we all; for a moment are people thanking for what they have and hoping for what they don't. We should definitely not forget the ghost described in this post and thank you for mentioning the sad parts of it too!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too! All of us do seem bound together in the spirit of Christmas if we focus, as you say, on hope and dreams.
DeleteI used to have wonderful Christmas holidays when my husband was alive. But you're right that things change and the holidays can be hard for some of us. I have one daughter, which I'm so grateful for, but I wish I had a bigger family. I'm trying to be more joyous this holiday season. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is hard to be joyous with a heavy heart and sad memories edging in upon us. May this Christmas season bring healing to you, Natalie, in some small way. Cyber hugs to you. Happier Holidays!
DeleteThank you for sharing. Some holidays are harder than others, but I hope your heart heals and your Christmas is warm and wonderful in peaceful ways.
ReplyDeleteMy Christmas is getting better. Thank you for caring, Tyrean
DeleteWhen my son was young, we were a little better off—but not by much. I used to wrap empty boxes up in old Christmas paper and we'd put some of his favourite toys under our tree. We'd each get one gift that was real.
ReplyDeleteBut like your mom, I tried to make it look festive and feel the magic with just the little bit we had. Cookies were also a thing we did.
Happy holidays.
Anna from elements of emaginette
You were a special Mother, Anna. During the garbage strike in New York during December, clever people wrapped their garbage in gaily wrapped packages. Presto! Garbage gone! :-)
DeleteSounds like your mum was a wonderful woman who did the best she could. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for IWSG day Over and Done With. An Author’s Year in Review 2024
A writer is never over and done, Ronel. Memories stir the embers of our imagination, right?
Delete