Christmas: Eternal Memories
Another time I remember she made us girls green plaid taffeta skirts with mint green angora sweaters. We looked so beautiful and fluffy!
As we grew older and came to the United States, our Christmas mornings grew more complicated and plentiful. We would have mounds of presents under the tree, homemade and store-bought. Mom would cook Christmas goodies, we would decorate a huge tree, dress up, go to Church, and have a great Christmas dinner.
As we all got older and moved away from home, our Christmases became smaller, more subdued, but still meaningful with friends and whatever family we had around. In all my years, I only had one Christmas alone and that was when I lived overseas for a year.
And Dad, every year he gave a lecture about the deeper meaning of Christmas. There was always a huge Christmas tree at the group Center. He would stand before it and, with passion and twinkling in his eyes, give yet another insight about the deeper meaning of Christmas. Dad loved Christ and the deeper meaning of Christmas and never tired of talking about it. 1
Now, I have moved into a new phase and ask myself: What does Christmas really mean to me?
The decorations, the crazy shopping, the stress of preparations and the forced gaiety have no place in my heart. I want to remember the simple beauty of Christmas of my childhood, the new clothes, the smells of food cooking, the joy of Church services and songs.
