BS: Christmas Past

Subject: Christmas Past
From: DonMeixner
Date: 25 Dec 99 - 11:15 PM

I sat in Church last evening in the place I've sat for more than 30 years each Christmas eve. Because of my partial deafness, the right side of the congregation hall, about a third of the way down. When quite young I sat there with my Mom and Dad and brothers and sisters. Now I sit there with my own family. The service was the same as it has been for those years. Altho' the messenger has changed a few times the message remains unchanged. Peace and good will, charity to all who truly are in need.

One of the ushers reminded me of a Christmas Eve 30+ years ago when Diane and I sat in the balconey at midnite and sang the hymns and said the prayers of Christmas. After the benediction we hugged and kissed and said Merry Christmas and waited in the balconey as the church cleared. Then Diane rode home with a lady from the choir and the usher who greated me at the door. The usher never cared for me but her Mom was on my side it seems.

Time passed and lives changed not always for the better. But something remain unaltered. Diane,s Mom sang in the choir untill she passed away a few years ago. Her step Dad remains to this day a pillar of the church and an usher and a greeter. Still, through all those years of change, seeing the Step Dad in his traditional place was the catalyst to bring this memory back so vividly. And when I closed my eyes in the near dark of the Church, with candles and singers rounding the pews, I was able to recall all of it. The joy and closeness. The voices that have been stilled in their time all came back in the echoes of the church. Diane's Mom, my Dad, friends of ours. All recreated in my memory on this past Christmas eve.

Given the chance I'd be 18 again and in the balconey with my best girl, holding hands and singing "Oh Holy Night" surrounded by those friends and family, missing now in my view but not in my heart.

I hope all your Christmas Past memories are as sweet as mine.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas Past
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Dec 99 - 11:45 PM

Don, you old softie, that is beautiful. I am off to bed, or I'd tell you of one of mine; maybe tomorrow after recovery from a long, but joyful day.

luvyaKat

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas Past
From: Escamillo
Date: 26 Dec 99 - 10:44 PM

It's so nice you shared this with us, Don. Last December 22 we reached our 27th anniversary (more than half our lives), so I can understand your feelings.
Yours, Andrés Magré

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas Past
From: KathWestra
Date: 26 Dec 99 - 10:47 PM

Thanks, Don. A wonderful memory, beautifully told and shared.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas Past
From: Big Mick
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 06:12 AM

You have the gift, Don. Thanks for sharing it.

Big Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas Past
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 10:01 AM

Beautiful, Don. So many of us lack that kind of continuity of time and place, and long for it. I feel that I've finally found the place I want to be now and 30 years from now, and it brings great joy. Thank you for that lovely story!
Allison

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas Past
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 12:29 PM

Thank you Don for sharing such a meaningful moment in time.

BB

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas Past
From: Neil Lowe
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 01:01 PM

I have no similar memories...but your message reminds me of treasures lost and forgotten, buried so deeply I am now moved to uncover them.

Thanks for rolling away the first stone.

Neil

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas Past
From: TheMuse
Date: 27 Dec 99 - 10:10 PM

Don - that is by far a wonderful memory. And new ones can be just as wonderful.

Neil - Definitly uncover your memories, you never know what treasures you may find again.

TheMuse

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas Past
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 02:34 AM

Don, that was truly wonderful. I only seem to remember the ridiculous and the inane, but it appears that under the squeak, there beats a heart of pure mush.... Thanks, and merry Christmas....

LTS XX