An angel on your tree . . .
The ringing of Christmas bells . . .
Cookies in the oven . . .
Donner, Dasher, and Dancer . . .
An elegant Christmas table . . .
Frost on the lawn . . .
Gifts . . .
Holly on the mantel . . .
Icicles dripping . . .
Joy . . .
A cozy, aroma-filled kitchen . . .
Lights on the houses . . .
Mistletoe for a kiss or two . . .
Neighbors bustling to and fro . . .
Opening gifts . . .
Presents . . .Surprise!
The quiet of Christmas Eve . . .
Reindeer . . . and a sleigh, of course . . .
And Santa’s on his way . . .
Toys under the tree . . .
Underwear . . . not a favorite gift for many . . .
Volunteering . . . a special gift to give at Christmas . . .
Windows decorated with cheer . . .
X-tra treats for friends . . .
Yule logs . . . to eat and to watch . . .
Zzz’s . . . and to all a goodnight . . .
Let me take a moment to say that the “ideal” holiday season depicted here is not true for many of us. This season is also a lonely time for many. A stressful time for many. We may not have family…places to go…parties to be at. Angels are those who reach out to others. Bell-ringers stand and collect for those who don’t have as much as others. Cookies are brought to neighbors for good cheer. Dasher, Donner, and Dancer are only characters in a story for some children. An elegant table is just a dream for some. Frosty relationships make for stressful holidays, and gifts are sometimes out of reach to buy. Icicles can hurt when they fall, and joy is something some can only dream of. Some kitchens are not full of loving family and friends, and the light has gone out of some people’s lives. There may be mistletoe, but no one to love — and neighbors whom we don’t know. Some children don’t know what it is to open presents. The quiet for some is merely loneliness. There are no reindeer, no Santa, and no toys. Underwear is appreciated by those who still need the necessities. Volunteers can bring joy into otherwise lonely windows. Xtra treats are too much to wish for for the animals in shelters waiting to be adopted. For many, the Yule log doesn’t burn brightly, and the zzz‘s pass the time until the lonely holidays are past and a new year begins.
I wrote that because I felt it necessary to mention that the holidays are not wonderful for everyone, and I needed to show the other side. And then there are those of us who celebrate other holidays — so happy Chanukah and Kwanza and any I forgot or don’t know about!
I hope you all have a holiday filled with love.
I hope your holiday is filled with good wine and a fine selection of eats.
Thank you. I wish the same for you!
Happy winter solstice.
I really liked your piece and the “other” side of the holidays for many.
We’re serving dinner at the mission on Xmas eve.
Thank you, Pam! I really applaud you for your volunteerism. Lacking a big family, I mostly fit on the “other side” of the holidays. Each year I await with great joy – January 1!
Happy Holiday Arlene!
Thank you! You as well!!!