The Monsters of Christmas, Present

A look at what Christmas has become!

THE MONSTERS OF CHRISTMAS, PRESENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you rush about buying gifts for friends, loved ones, etc., worrying how you are going to pay the bills, maybe you should think about your own life, as a child.

 

A rolled-up crayon drawing with a piece of yarn around it, a flawed poem in an old cereal box frame decorated with marking pencils, cookies made with Mom in an old dented tin, or a bouquet of tissue flowers.  A perfume that stinks to high heaven, a shirt no one in his right mind would wear, a nighty that says I'm naughty, or some twisted holiday underwear.  Which items have stood the test of time?!  Well, I guess you understand where I am going with this.

 

Christmas is about giving "yourself" to someone you love and care about.  There is still time to create a part of you to give to someone special; something that they would want to hold onto, forever!

 

When I sit and remember my 54 previous Christmas Days, I remember my grandma's date nut bars, our family going to candlelight services at Linden Lutheran Church, putting the leaf in the table and having massive meals with my family and grandparents, and playing in the snow with my brother; the snow was free!

 

Maybe, the world would be a better place this Christmas, if we all took a moment and thought about what memories we are giving to our children for the Christmas, Future!!

 

Author's Note

I would like to dedicate this essay to my mother, Susie Q in Columbus OH, on this site!

She raised me to understand what is important and valuable, in this world.

When I first learned to knit, she has kept the items that I gave her as gifts, jokingly saying I knitted them with the holes already in them.

Merry Christmas, Mom! I love you!!

"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE!!!"

Reviews

[Susie Q]

It amazes me the things you remember. All the things you and your brother made are still packed away in a box and in my memory bank for you to
find some day. The things my brother and I shared and our parents have
gone for so many years, mean so much since he is in a VA nursing home
after surgery on two brain tumors and can't always remember our younger days and thankfully I can help him remember. Memories of our past have given us special gifts! As long as I can remember you liked to write poetry, that is a special gift from you! THANK YOU, Chris, Merry Christmas. I LOVE YOU, Mom.

[Levi Levin]

You ure spoke a wheel barrel load my friend..if we could only turn back the clock.

[TPK Stories]

nice memories...glad you shared them...

[Huggy Bear]

Great piece:)

[Dearantlers]

That is so true. Nowadays all we give and receive are storebought gifts, not homemade ones. Its kinda sad. Ahopefully this story will get people, including me back in the true Christmas spirit.

[Viet Pham]

What a wonderful story with a beautiful message.

[Black Cat Fever]

Hopefully people give their kids more positive memories than negative but sadly that isn't true for many.. Some parents do try, I believe.

[Daytonight]

So very wonderful and nostalgic! Well penned. Keep up the great work!

[Lilly]

This is so true.
It reminded me of a 'gift' I gave my mother when I was about 4 years old. I had found some sort of seed pod in the park. I'm told I gave it to her telling her she was never to throw it away or lose 'my treasure'.... And she never has
the real gift of that is love and the memory it has for us - it's a story she can tell and we laugh about it... How simple things are in the minds of children.

This is a lovely write - I love what it is saying. Nice work here

[realmwriter]

Something to think about foe sure. Your mother sure does love you and I feel as if I was given an opportunity to share in such a tender moment, I apologize for the intrusion.

[Laughing-Bear]

My Dear Writing Friend Ayarinarqe Ak’allar(aq) Nalik Uilingiataq,
Your short write has wavered in and out of my thoughts for days much like the Northern Lights dance and beg for my attention. So as I sit before my fire with my pipe smoke wafting about the room I try gather my thoughts on this write that are floating in all directions of my mind. I wanted to let you know just how pleased I am with your write, as it shines a light on the problem of Christmas today. This write is so full of truth, and yet so simple. With just 238 words you have taken a sword and lopped of the head of the materialism problem of “MONSTER OF CHRISTMAS, PRESENT”.
Yesterday I took a drive into the crazy world where the masses shop. Though I had no clue what day it was it was obvious Christmas was close at hand as in a couple of stores people were lined up like crazed rats clutching all kinds of gadgets, and I noticed most seemed to be charging their gifts on credit cards, so sad.
I smiled as I thought of my Christmas gifts this season; they were very easy on my pocket book. I hade made fur n****e warmers for a few women I know, found eight-track tapes for a child that collects them at a garage sale, painted a painting for a friend, wrote a poem for another. Very little cost but a lot of care and thought went into my gifts.
This reminded me of your example of gifts, a poem, baked cookies, a crayon drawing. When I go through my box of keepsakes its gifts like handwritten notes, paint by number paintings, a hand knitted hat, or a picture of a friend smiling that hold value, they are my treasures. They were gifts made with love and thought.
I would rather share the gift of friendship with others over a Christmas dinner of Spam with Mac and cheese than have a feast with those who look at Christmas as a time to reap the booty, and forget those around them that are lonely-hearted and in need. Thus I wrote my just posted poem titled “Christmas…. Today”. I have to ask my self how long will earth survive to thrive losing the Reason for the season?
You stated it so well when you wrote, “Christmas is about giving "yourself" to someone you love and care about. There is still time to create a part of you to give to someone special; something that they would want to hold onto, forever!
Those around you have obviously been blessed for fifty-four years. You see correctly, your pneuma shines through brightly; the Reason for the Season must smile when sitting with others around his table and talking about those who know his heart, about those who reach out and care for others. I bet you will hear some day these words, well done my faithful servant Ayarinarqe Ak’allar(aq) Nalik Uilingiataq!

Blessings, Ggagga Nk’dlih