Words from a Reader

The “Writing Life Stories” e-mails I receive are such treasures. As soon as I see there is one in my inbox, I read it immediately. I look forward to them and never know how they will touch me. They can be interesting, informative, humorous, and/or touching.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Christmas Day 2014

We have come  to the  end of another Christmas Day. When I was a young girl, the end of Christmas left me feeling sad, even crying sometimes. I didn't understand why I felt such sadness. My sister didn't feel sad. No one in my family seemed sad  but me.

Now I understand it. During Christmas season, everyone I  knew was happy. Mother was extremely joyful because all of her children would soon be around her table again. She  never minded all the cooking a
nd cleaning, the shopping and gift wrapping. Her cheerfulness rubbed off on all of us. Daddy smiled more. Christmas was a family time, a time to show the love we had for each other. 

We sang Christmas Carols, played Christmas music on our record player, and gift giving for the children was a big thing. Anticipation is often more exciting than the main event. My husband said he believed I had rather plan a vacation than actually go on the trip. I think my sadness at the end of Christmas Day was because of the let down, the drop of the  adrenaline, the end of preparation for that special day. 

And part of it was disappointment. The Big Day never measured up to my high expectations. My family didn't behave as I had hoped. I wanted a Hollywood Christmas, just like the ones in the movies. My family laughed and told stories, but kept serious feelings under wraps. No one uttered words like "I love you." 

This weekend while I was away, a couple of young people stayed at my house. They were visiting my neighbor and she didn't have enough room for all her company. One was a young Muslum who was so excited that he would have the  opportunity to be part of a real Christmas holiday celebration. He asked his friend, "Will it be like in the movies?" 


Barry and I were big fans of Andy Williams and I loved his Christmas TV specials.

I don't know what the young visitor expected or if it met with his ideas of what  it should be. I never  had a Christmas like in the  movies. The happiest were with my beloved husband who never outgrew his boyish love of giving and receiving at Christmas. He deliberately and very slowly opened each gift, taking as long as he could while everyone waited. The kids complained loudly and begged him to  hurry, but he liked to tease them.
His passing has affected my enjoyment of the holiday and it affects my sister and brother-in-law with whom we always spent the day.

Now, six years after his death, I can say I really enjoyed  this Christmas. I missed Barry and we talked about him with love and laughter. The pain has lessened enough that I can find joy in being with friends and family so dear to me.

Barry Beall


Tonight I am excited about the coming new year. 2015 is going to be a good year. I feel it in my bones, and I am not crying tonight. 

6 comments:

  1. My Christmas Day was like most other quiet days, except that I visited a nursing home and came away grateful that I don't have to spend Christmas in a place like that. I'm glad that you are able to remember your dear husband now with love instead of pain. I know how that goes. Blessings, dear Glenda. :-)

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  2. I think all three of us have finally felt the lessening of the pain of losing Barry enough to enjoy Christmas completely once again. I'm so thankful, especially to know you can feel happiness once more. It was a very special Christmas.

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  3. DJan how kind and caring of you to visit a nursing home at Christmas. Those are things I think about but don't do. I am grateful also that you are not in a nursing home and that I am not someplace I don't want to be. I am grateful for my health, as iffy as it may be at times, and I am grateful I have such a dear and loving family. I am with my husband's family tonight. I love these adults and their children, all of whom I watched grow up.

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  4. Thank you, Gay, for your comment. Thanks for making Christmas time so lovely and special every year, for welcoming me into your home and for remembering Barry with love.

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  5. I enjoy the anticpation too: planning for events and for traveling. Imagining all the possibilities. I still like Christmas, but I long ago decided New Year's Eve was not worth the heightened expectations.

    PS. My folks had the same Andy Williams record!

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  6. Hi Barb, Thanks for reading my blog and leaving a comment. I agree. New Year's Eve is and has always been a bummer for me. I enjoy New Year's Day because I like the traditional meal served here in the south. I never know when midnight comes because I am writing, reading or asleep.
    Hope your 2015 is wonderful. You are one of my favorite people and dear friend.

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