˜Tis the week of the holiday season we start to recall memories as we sit back and look at trees filled with ornaments of old and new. The idea inspired me to write about the best and worst of Christmas memories... only to realize it's not about the best tree or the dumbest gift.
The holidays are about the best moments. Moments are subtle and pass without fanfare through our lives, yet they shift an entire day in small ways. They return to us a year later, and a year after that. You have hundreds of them packed away. You have a few from this year already. We all do. I am reminded that it is within those moments that keeps the spirit of the holidays alive; the collective soul of Christmas and Hanukah combined with other traditions.
I remember the moment I knew I had my own angel with me as the perfect parking place was awaiting me in front of Macy's. on Christmas Eve.
I remember the moment I listened to a chorus of third grade voices reaching a crescendo as they recalled the one odd reindeer that saved Christmas night with his nose (like a light bulb!). It is the same moment I realized America's hopes and harmonies rise in such common places and repeat often (and loudly) across this free land.
I remember the moment spent at a table of friends and family with heads bowed and gratitude shared.
I remember the moments of sheer wonder that all the lights on the tree worked!
I remember the moment my kids realized Santa brought socks and underwear that year while their most generous parents brought the good stuff. (Even Santa didn't repeat that mistake in subsequent years)
I remember the moment that I realized the dollar I slipped through my car window to the one standing in the cold was followed with the discovery by both of us that someone cared that day.
I remember the moment I realized a six foot Christmas tree looks ridiculous sticking out of the back of baby blue 1972 AMC Gremlin.
I remember the moment I wired the same tree from the ceiling out of sheer frustration as it had fallen over three times before. Maybe it was not pleased it came home in a 1972 Gremlin. Who knew?
I remember the moment I discovered a fragile and forgotten ornament at the bottom of the decorations. The ornament was made from glittered macaroni and paper with the gold string to hang from the tree. The discovery brought back the memory of the night it was unwrapped from the completely over-taped tissue paper my daughter had used to keep it safe and out of sightoh so many years ago.
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