Posted by Kathi (205.188.199.28) on December 25, 2000 at 08:16:47:
I want to suggest we all do one thing this Christmas. Even if it's just for five minutes, try to remember what Christmas was like when you were little. It didn't mean all this hustle and aggravation and endless rounds of spending money you don't have. It was innocence and anticipation. It was wonderful smells from the kitchen and family coming over. Being so excited you could barely sleep...hanging out in pajamas watching the Yule log burn on WPIX (for you East coasters) or Rudolph or the Grinch. Opening presents playing with your new toys all day long.
Being older gives me the ability to "edit" some of the past. I, like all of us I'm sure, can remember some not-so-great holidays from my childhood, but I choose to pick out the good parts. I have tried very hard this Christmas to see things through my daughters eyes. It's not just shopping and fighting crowds. This, to her, is a magical thing. I'm going to go back in time today. I'm going to spend ten minutes trying to be that skinny ten year old kid in the Jersey suburbs that I used to be. I'm going to remember my grandparents coming over in their old silver cadillac, loaded down with cookies and presents. I'm going to remember wearing my red dr. dentons and my Bugs Bunny slippers. I'm going to feel my grandmothers hug and smell her Arpege perfume. I'm going to remember my Mom in her apron and wrangler jeans with her teased hair and hoop earrings...cooking me oatmeal.
And then I'll cry a little bit. Because I will realize how precious those times really were.
Love to all and Merry Christmas!
Kathi