“Christmas is a time when you get homesick – even when you’re home.” ~Carol Nelson
As a longtime newspaper columnist, one of my toughest assignments has been writing an annual Christmas piece. For years, the holiday made me feel sad and unmoored, but I’m finally coming to terms with it. You can read about my battle with the Christmas blues today on David Crumm’s Read the Spirit. –CL
Cindy……..Your column is excellent. I, too, battle with the Christmas blues as do many other people. I really work hard at keepng the reason for the season in my mind and those I love in my heart.
Thanks so much, Harriet. I’ve been touched hearing from so many who are in the same boat this season. Garrison Keillor was right: We really do get through this thing together.
Cindy, I was deeply touched after reading your beautiful and bittersweet column about Christmas memories. Some of my best Christmas memories are just about being surrounded in a house full of happy people. What wonderful memories you have, especially of your Aunt Annie doing a highland dance in the middle of the room. I think it’s important to focus on just getting together for the holidays with the people who are in our lives right now in the present….
Isn’t that quote the truth!
I am heading over to read your column right now.
Hugs to you.
Thank you Cindy — your comments are very kind, and you are right about those memories of my aunt! And Angie, I appreciate the nice comment you left on the Read the Spirit site. (The editor always appreciates those too!) I am hoping you all find a wonderful way to celebrate the season.
Oh Cindy- that was perfect.
One of the things that I suspect sometimes is that our generation has thoroughly sanitized life in general so that there are certain things that truly can’t be recreated, like wild abandon – chain smoking, sword dancing etc – living without the surgeon general or Oprah overlooking our shoulders. It’s a crazy thing to notice isn’t it? I’ve never been a smoker or a dancer and I think perhaps I’ve lived too orderly and healthy a life – well I hope that you understand what I mean. I’m not promoting smoking or anything. I guess I’m speaking to context and unfettered, pure experience. Ah- Xmas makes me a little off balance. Like I’m not always 🙂
Thank you Cindy for sharing that link. Your story did my Grinchy heart some good;-)
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oh, Cindy,
the article was so so wonderful . I left a comment there but didn’t see it . I’ll check again.
Our holiday season is different every year, depending on what else is going on in the life of our family. I have learned over the years that we make the holiday what it is, that it can be the celebration/remembrance/family event that best suits our needs each year. Otherwise it feels forced and hollow.
Happy Holidays, Cindy. May the season bring you and your family what you need this year ~