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Go into the light: Stoneham does Christmas. |
You're
not reading the original words I wrote for this week’s column. Like
the Elf on the Shelf, I hid that article in an obscure corner hoping
nobody will find it. That column, entitled “Of Gifts and Guns”,
was too intense to publish this time of year. I wrote about the
Colorado Planned Parenthood mass shootings because one of the victims
had ties to our area. Nancy Kerrigan’s tearful memories of Garrett
Swasey
on
the news were enough to dampen on my rapidly dwindling holiday
spirit. I ended that column with the words “...by the time you read
this, another horrific event will no doubt happen to knock the
Colorado shootings out of the headlines...”. And then the terrorist
attack at the social service center in San Bernardino happened. I
decided it was too depressing to write about such horror during this
season of joy even though it is in the forefront of our nation's
collective thoughts.
You
can say I’m burying my head in the sand, no pun intended. Instead,
for this next couple of weeks, I'm focusing on the positive aspects
of the holiday season. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of
the year. At least that’s what Johnny Mathis keeps telling me over
and over as he sings his merry songs on my FM radio.
Instead
of writing about mass shootings, I prefer to write about the happy
faces of children and parents alike at the tree lighting ceremony on
the town common. Add Santa Claus, pony rides, hot chocolate and
trolleys and you have a holiday recipe for a great night of good
old-fashioned family fun. I don’t even mind the traffic in my area
as people flock to the Zoo Lights exhibit at the Stone Zoo. I haven’t
visited the display yet this year, but it’s on my list of uplifting
holiday activities. The season is so short, I’m trying to do
something every day to enjoy the time as the holidays fast approach.
I
thought Christmas shopping would brighten my mood. I took advantage
of the unseasonably warm temperatures and made my annual trek to
Redstone Plaza. Shop local, I always say. Although it wasn’t
terribly crowded, there were still many shoppers out and about. I
found some great gifts for my family, and one for myself: a
sock-monkey dressed in an elf suit. My spirits were definitely on the
upswing.
I
turned off my 24-hour news radio station and turned on the 24-hour
Christmas music channel. Just hearing songs about Winter Wonderlands
and White Christmases is enough for me. I don’t need any real snow.
I have enough memories of last winter’s accumulation to last a
lifetime. Even Karen Carpenter’s tragic life can't spoil my
enjoyment of her heartfelt renditions of holiday classics (although
it is sad she won’t be home for Christmas no matter what she says
in her song). It’s hard to feel blue when your singing along to
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman.
When
the world’s dire situation began creeping into the edge of my
consciousness, threatening to destroy my tenuous (artificial?) joyful
mood, I decided to telephone my sons just to say hello and tell them
I love them. And the best part of those phone calls? They didn’t
even think it was strange.Last
night while driving through Stoneham I noticed the cheery light
displays illuminating homes around town and in my neighborhood. Some
people went overboard with their decorations, some exerted minimal
effort (me), but it’s the thought that counts. We all can’t be
Chevy Chase.
Shocking
and savage current events lurk around every corner along with
threatening shadows of a bleak future, but I have a secret weapon. I
simply look at my granddaughters smiling face. Within her bright,
beautiful blue eyes I see the true meaning of Christmas. In her
innocence I see a future full of hope and love.
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