Each Holiday Season is filled with richly varied Kodak moments. As adults, we look forward to this season every year yet are always amazed it is upon us and our bank accounts so quickly. My very first mental images of Christmas do not always involve “sugar plums dancing in my head” or even “dashing through the snow”. Does anyone we know actually own a one-horse open sleigh that goes dashing? One of my first recollections from last year’s Holiday Season involves stalking for good holiday parking. This may seem a somewhat peculiar picture but it clearly plays out something like this. . .
Pushing my well-worn stroller piled high with gifts (I’ll be paying for until Easter) I glance back noticing a Volkswagen Bug practically breathing down my neck. The driver is watching intently, eyes actually bugged slightly with hope that she’s hit the close-to-the door jackpot. If a VW Bug could shrug in disgust, it would have, as I continue pushing the stroller to the very far end of the lot. Obviously my stalking for parking didn’t pay off either. For, while I may be nearing the age of Kathy Bates in the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, I’m not entirely sure I have the “much better insurance”, so am forced to back away and accept what parking spot I can get; Thus, the need for the baby stroller. I will admit to not being one who enjoys taking repetitive trips trudging three miles across a parking lot in a pending blizzard to unload packages into the car. My only other alternative is borrowing my grandmother’s car and abusing the power that comes with her handicapped license plate, but before my character is marred irreparably, I have yet to act on it. I’m just saying I’ve contemplated it . . .
Now, for you men out there who may not understand why a woman would resort to using the stroller (especially without a child in it or in my case, one in which her children have long since outgrown), I have two alternatives for you. Implore the Mall on our behalf to make shopping carts readily available for use all the way to the parking lot or tag along with us and assist us in carrying all those packages. In all fairness, I realize there are those men who are just as involved in the whole Christmas gift process as us women, so to you I say, “I am impressed and any time you need it, I will gladly lend you my stroller”.
In defending my misuse of a toddler device, admitting to being a parking stalker and confirming my lazy holiday shopping habits, one might label me a “Bah, humbug”. So, an apology may be in order for driving you directly into the more stressful side of Christmas. In reality, for the majority of us, our hearts are warmed by the music, lights, and general good-will practiced during this holiday season. It is an endearing season, one in which many of life’s special memories, traditions, new beginnings, and delicious foods are enjoyed. The “Holidays” are ones in which our humanitarian natures are stirred more than at any other time, to give, to help, and to remember those less fortunate.
The list of charities available, to warm the heart with giving, is endless and varied, however, this year, after noticing more beggars at intersections than usual, I began pondering something. What happens to these dear people and/or children for the other eleven months of the year? There are many organizations still committed to helping them, I’m sure, but most of us are guilty of waiting until the “holiday season” to contribute. Our hearts are warmed because we put a new toy in the “Toys for Tots” barrel or ceremoniously drop a can of spinach into the “Food for the Hungry” bin. This Holiday giving then works to numb our humanitarian debt requirement so we can now enter the New Year with warm fuzzy feelings having done our yearly duty.
The harsh reality is that too many of the more “fortunate ones” have an underlying idea that the poor have surely brought it upon themselves thus justifying only giving to the children this time of year. It is bluntly alluded to in a very important book I’ve read, that we “not judge lest we be judged by the same measuring stick”. (Interpretational liberties are solely my own) but . . . I’m just pointing out that in these financial times we best be wary lest it be us or someone close to us who finds themselves in the category of “those in need”. Especially, if you are intolerant of these individuals, be very afraid, because, “What goes around really does tend to come around”. Okay, okay, so now I have resorted to sounding downright preachy although it is not a “holier than thou” sermon, only a mental “reminder-to-self” allowing you, the reader, to listen in. Now, having ventured, rather bizarrely, from “parking lot stalking” to “judging the poor” journey with me further into more scenes that Christmas conjures up.
Overspending, cookie baking, searching for recipes to top Aunt Dee’s Sweet Potato casserole everyone raved on and on about (do I sound bitter?), deciding between real or fake tree and door wreath, enjoying the life-sized nativity scenes. . . oh, wait, we might offend so we can’t do that anymore in public without a battle!! Only secular or any other religious symbols besides “Christian” can be displayed on business grounds. This high sensitivity is due to a mathematically-challenged political stance also known as “division of church and state”. I’m not sure just what their angle is but I do know that it isn’t right.
Finally, some of us drowsy little giants are waking up realizing that silence and lethargy are not virtues, but only beneficial when getting ready for bed. For far too long we have set up our Christmas lights, baked our pies, shopped ‘til we dropped, stewed as our bank accounts groaned with overdraft fees. While the more vocal have sued, whined, screamed discrimination and separation, diluting our freedoms at a speed that is apprehensible. Again, here we go letting the ranting of a shrill minority; dictate the outcome of an apathetic majority?
A brazen example of this is the ACLU threatening to sue a school in Colorado if the principal refuses to censor Christmas for its students insisting the school "must take immediate steps to comply with the constitutional separation of church and state." It insists the school must ban all references to Christmas in its annual holiday program, including secular songs such as "Jingle Bells."
“Jingle Bells”!! The only thing about this song that causes me pause is, “Bells on bobtails ring, making spirits bright”. Do they bob the horses’ tails and then feel gleeful about it? Oh, great now PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) will add this song to that ever growing, politically incorrect list! My mid-west opinion is that this action by the ACLU successfully illustrates their desperation. They must not take the chance that our school children will enjoy a season so strongly seeped in the “Christian” faith.
The attorney representing the principal and the school commented, "This is the same old ACLU ploy of fear, intimidation and disinformation," He went on to say that the ACLU’s suggestion is outrageous and inflammatory and that the words, “separation of church and state” do not even appear in the constitution. What?!! This caught me off guard. It really isn’t even worded in our constitution yet it is used to disrupt so many of our American traditions? Wow!! I had to Google this at once. Check out this website: http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html where it explains that it was only a statement found in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson.
The attorney went on to say, "The truth is that no court has ever ruled that public schools must ban the singing of religious Christmas carols, and no court has ever held that celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas as religious holidays requires recognition of all other religious holidays. The ACLU has a different vision for America and a different vision for Colorado than our founding fathers." While this was an encouragement to me, the ACLU loves nothing better than a good fight resulting in a case they can use as a precedent. Once again I am inspired to get out of my comfort zone and lend a voice. I need to quit being apathetic and so busy with everyday life that I miss the bigger picture playing out all around me involving our political future, needs of our friends, neighbors, and freedoms of our fellow Southwest Missourians. If each one of us will step out and assist even one person, or contribute a little more, or speak up for our freedoms a little louder, then together we can and will change America.
Let us help those in need, not only in this season of wonder, beauty, and its endearing meaning for most of us, but let us carry the same spirit of Christmas with us throughout the other eleven months as well. Volunteer, contribute, donate, participate, and get involved in the issues that hold meaning for you and your family. It has been proven that one of the best ways to crawl out of one’s own depression, self-loathing, loss or sadness is by giving and doing for others. A process takes place as your mind begins to rotate away from your own problems turning your heart toward the needs of another. This results in a heart being filled again with a warmth known as, JOY!
This year I am determined to put hands to my heart’s longing and aspiration to make a difference. Whether in our own neighborhood, or at a state or national level, let us no longer be unresponsive when we see an injustice. Our actions and speaking out may motivate others to do the same until we have a freedom troop changing the course of our nation. So, beginning with this Holiday Season, join with me in making sure each child we know has an opportunity to open a gift at Christmas or any family fallen on hard times, has food worthy of the celebration. Then stretch the warmth of the Holiday Season beyond into the New Year by being on the lookout for opportunities to lend a hand to a neighbor or volunteering at an organization right here in Southwest Missouri.
This Christmas Season, whether you choose to use an outdated stroller, stalk for a good parking place, or bypass all this entirely and buy online, SMILE, show tolerance, and consideration to others. If you are so stressed that you do not have time to be cordial or kind, then your “Holiday” has way too much “Celebration” snuffing out its “Spirit”. Rethink, Prioritize and Enjoy a wonderful Holiday Season and Beyond.
