My note to "Emily" and any other "Emilies" out there is newspapercolumnland a couple of weeks ago left me in a reflective mood. I wonder how she took it, I thought. Was she devastated that Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy are only the products of creative minds?
So, without too much fanfare or retraction, I wish to write her a follow-up letter. Again, you can read along, if you so choose. If not, try at least to figure out what this week's punch line will be.
Hi Emily. Trust this letter, er, column finds you and yours well. I hope we're still friends, after I spilled the beans about there being no Santa Claus. I dislike bearing bad news—bursting balloons, if you will--, but, you know, I have raised, am raising, and (it seems) will continue to raise nine kids of my own, and it seems I am forever saying"No" to them, for the same reason. The reason? For their own good.
My wife and I have chosen to not expose them to many of the half-truths of the culture, and we're glad we took that stand. I'm sure they would have felt betrayed by our half lies, then bemused by our backtracking years later.
You know, Emily, Christmas, sans Santa Claus, is still a wonderful time of the year. And I want you to understand that you can get beyond the trees and the tinsel, the bills and the bells, the stuffed turkey and the stuffed guests, and really enjoy it. Probably a few extra gifts with your name on them under the tree would help.
But seriously, Emily, Christmas may seem for the most part for children and lovers—and that's not a bad thing—but it really can be for us all. Those of us who are long on the tooth, a weird expression for getting older, can still have our share of lots of fun and plenty of memories. For our family, we are having our married kids and their babies, as well as those of us at home, for Christmas. That will make it very special this year.
Some people panic because they have to buy so many presents for so many people. If you know any of those people, Emily, tell them to back off. Trim the Christmas gift list. Buy better gifts for fewer people. Make sure all the bills can be paid in January. Suggest they should start doing what we're starting to do: buy gift cards. (And, Emily, if you're thinking of me this year, think in terms of an East Side Mario's or Five Guys, Burgers and Fries, gift card(s). Thanks in advance!)
Christmas involves looking out for others. It's not the things we get or don't get; nor is it about things we give or don't give. Yes, gifts have their place—I'd be a liar and hypocrite if I told you not to get or give, when I turn around and do it myself. I'm just suggesting to you, Emily, that you really think about what you are doing, and why you are doing it.
Maybe you could change your approach to the big day this year. Think about having a few people over for games and snacks. There's got to be a widow here, an senior there, or perhaps a new family in town. Check out your source of people through your school, church, or neighbourhood. And I'm thinking that if you go that route, you will have one of the best Christmases ever.
The message of the first Christmas, over 2, 000 years ago, is one that still holds true today. That is, the true spirit of Christmas involves opening your heart, your hand, and your home to others, spending time and energy on people (as opposed to spending money and sweat on gifts). Please don't let the rampant consumerism and materialism get in the way of a truly meaningful Christmas.
By the way, if you are thinking of asking over one of those aged friends of yours, I play a mean game of Boggle.
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