They Call the Wind Mariah

December 15, 2003 : 10:15 a.m.
Christmas Wishes

Last night I sat alone in the living room. It was dark and peaceful, only the muted colored lights of the christmas tree and our living room window were on. Everyone except me had gone to bed early. It was nice.

I watched a really cheesy, sticky sweet Made for TV movie called "Secret Santa" starring Jennie Garth. It was full of cliches and fluff, but it was still a cute Christmas movie. I watched it mostly because I knew it took place in Indiana, where I am from of course. Not often do stories take place in Indiana. It took place in a small town where everyone knew everyone and they were all friendly. Something most people laugh at, because it is so unreal. Only to some people it isn't unreal. I lived in one of those towns, was raised there. Watching that show made me miss it more than I normally do.

And it also made me cry. Not that making me cry is a hard task or anything...I could cry at the drop of the hat most of the time. But the moral of the story was all about giving without wanting anything in return. The greatest gift is one that comes from the heart. And at Christmas especially, when all you see anymore is the commercialism of it, it's getting harder and harder to come by.

I have always tried to make our Christmases about the spirit and about family. Don't get me wrong, I succomb to the commercialism too. I stood in line for hours the Friday after Thanksgiving trying to get M that perfect toy. I just try not to get overtaken by it. I try to make my daughter realize it's not the gifts she gets, but the thought behind those gifts that mean the most. This year also, she has learned the meaning of wanting to give to others, even when she knew she wouldn't get anything in return. She was okay with that. She was happy because the people that were receiving were happy. That gives me warm fuzzy gushy feelings.

I hope one day when she's older she looks back and sees how hard I tried to bring to her the real meaning of the holiday. The nights before Christmas not only reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', but also the stories of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Baby Jesus. Teaching her the traditions we have, and the reasons behind them. Giving her a strong sense of family togetherness. I hope that the things we do stick with her, and I hope she feels about this time of year the specialness that I do. Doesn't grow out of the magic of it. The sights, the smells, the sounds - and the reason behind it all. It is my favorite time of year.

If I don't get another chance to tell you next week - Have a very Merry Christmas.