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Story Book Christmases by Betty King

Amidst all the bright lights and festive activities of the holiday season we often forget there is sadness in the hearts of many. Gifts do not make up for what our hearts miss. There are those who are lonely for a vast array of reasons.

There are those who have lost loved ones through death, and they feel the loss more than ever at Christmastime.

We often forget what divorce can do to children's and adult's hearts alike; the holidays only compound the sadness they feel as their families have been torn apart. Even for families that are cordial after divorce, there is Christmas Eve here and Christmas Day there - trying to please everyone – trying to make up for mistakes and imperfect lives.

There are also those who are laid off from their jobs and are financially strapped for cash; they may be without Christmas gifts this year.

Many are sick and hospitalized with their futures unknown; they may be facing sorrow we know not of.

Some couples are alone this time of year as their grown children are busy with their own families and they are feeling unloved and unneeded.

There are those who are without any family at all; perhaps they have outlived all of their kin folks and they feel depressed and alone.

Homeless people too, must feel the isolation particularly at Christmastime.

Nursing homes are full of loneliness and forgotten souls; there is much despondency there this time of year.

For whatever reason there is often sadness for many at this joyous time of cheer and celebration in the homes and hearts of many.

Yes, Christmas for most is a happy time of warm thoughts and good wishes, a time we celebrate the Christ Child's birth. It is also a time of remembrances, and for some, there are memories that bring with them sadness.

I, like many, have had some wonderful Christmases, but like some people I have felt a tinge of sadness on occasions as the holidays have rolled around.

I remember one, particular Christmas; I felt a lack of good cheer and loneliness.

As I think back I never remember spending a Christmas around a tree with Mom, Dad and my brother. There must have been a few, a very few, yet I don't recall it ever occurring. My Dad was in the service during W.W. II, and then there was the year I remember…

The first Christmas I ever committed to memory was when I was ten years old. Mother, my brother and myself had put up the tree. My Father was absent, he had left our family, and though there had not been a divorce yet, it was nearly written in concrete.

Sadness hung from the boughs that year, plenty of drop-lets fell, too, but not from icicles; there were tears in our hearts if not in our eyes. The stars did not twinkle that Christmas it seemed; but Santa did pay us a visit. He left me "Story Book Bride and Groom Dolls"; an appropriate gift now that I look back.

Mother had designed a dress for another "Story Book Doll", green and black ruffles, it matched one she had sewn for me on my great grandma's old pedal sewing machine. Fluff is added to lots of things to cover mistakes, holes and tears; but still there is the heart to contend with. It seems odd now that I look back and realize that was the year "Story Book Families" were in
vogue.

I remember a new matching red pair of pajamas mother and I wore; the cheery bright color help to conceal the state of our hearts.

Dad dropped by, bringing me a new pair of shoes, on his way out of town earlier in the day; footprints it seemed were hard to follow that year. I remember Mom being upset at dad's short visit and his choice of gifts. Nothing dad could have dropped by, as a gift, would have been fitting, or appropriately wrapped, not that Christmas.

I'd been taught Christmas was a time of peace and goodwill, yet I didn't feel it that year. I suppose there are always wars raging; silent bullets, well aimed, often do the most damage. That year my heart felt the wounds.

I went on to realize other Christmases, all minus Dad with his newly acquired wife. Some were spent with cousins, a step-dad; you know those make-shift families that seem to be occurring more and more these days.

It's funny how brightly wrapped packages and smiles conceal inappropriate gifts, those thrown at you, to make up for life. I guess we've all gotten or given them. You'd think we could learn to ask what other people need; instead we keep supplying "Story Book Christmases."

Let us remember this Christmas there are those who are lonely, sad and depressed. Let us show compassion and concern to those whose hearts may be breaking, for whatever reason. Let us be an example to those who hearts may be hurting, that the Christ Child is often the only gift that can heal some people's broken hearts, and mend the wounds of an imperfect life.

Let's stop supplying "Story Book Christmases" and start giving along with our material gifts, genuine gifts of friendship and Christ-like love.

Merry Christmas; remember Jesus Christ is he reason for the season! Let us all reflect His love to those around us this Christmas holiday!

© Copyright 2003 Betty King

Betty is an author, newspaper columnist, freelance writer and speaker. For autographed copies of her books
email her [email protected]

Betty invites you to visit her new Moments of Reflection website www.BettyKing.net

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