I owned a lovely boutique once long ago before I retired. The Christmas holiday was the time of year I most loved doing my front window. In it I placed a Hanukkah Menorah and a dreidel, a Christmas Tree, a creche, lots of teddy bears and a Kwanzaa Menorah. It was my way of wishing all good will.
David and I were sitting around the table a few weeks ago when he told me about a diversity training that his office had that day. It had been rather basic and somewhat patronizing. My husband could be the last person on earth to need diversity training. So why did you go? He wished to support the entire office. He did come home saying that: “If someone wishes me a Merry Christmas – I know their intent is one of good will and kindness – I am getting a bit sick of all of this political correctness.” David, like Jesus, is Jewish.
I grew up within the most beautiful setting for Christmas. Imagine if you can coming home from having been away at school for several months. You are on the last leg of the trip. You are coming down the hill into town and it is snowing really hard and really beautifully with that special silence that snowfall brings. You come through the forest then the landscape opens up and you see your fields as you look to the left and see the out-door Christmas tree twinkling in the snow. You know that you will go to Mass in the morning where a lot of things will be said in Latin. But you still sense the presence of Christmas. Your home is decorated beautifully and there are presents everywhere. There is peacefulness. You are fourteen and this feels good.
This Christmas season I am grateful for so much. I am grateful for the cadre of friends whom I have met in the poetry blogosphere – you know who you are. I am also grateful for the memories that I mentioned above.
Merry Christmas to all. I hope that this season blesses each and every one. Oh … and Happy New Year too.
Mary said:
And a Merry Christmas / Happy Hanukkah to you! I do agree with your husband, that if a person wishes you a Merry Christmas it is meant to be a good thing and should not be disparaged. It is always nice to find YOU in the blogosphere too. Friendship is no small thing!
Mel said:
*laughing* I recall years and years ago when the Rabbi instructed us to wish others a “Happy Holiday”. As I recall, I challenged that one, even back then, and exited Temple wishing everyone a “Joyous Christmas Season”. HA!! I’m such a oppositional poop!
What a wonderful memory to draw from….
And here’s hoping this Christmas (yes….said it!! LOL) is peacefilled for you and yours.
Grace said:
Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories and letting us glimpse your Christmas home ~
Wishing you Happy Holidays and joyful season ~
Cheers ~
Sherry Marr said:
Wow, I could SEE that homecoming, you painted it so well. Glorious, the stuff of movies. David sounds like a wonderfully kind and aware being. And look at those doggy faces of love. White muzzles always give me a twinge, these days. Makes me want to put my arms around him, then give him a cookie. Give him one for me, okay?
brian miller said:
i am grateful for you as well….i think we def worry too much on offending others, or others take too much into words without measuring their intent..happy hanakwanzinonspaghetticusmas! grins. think i got everyone covered there….you are a treasure ma’am
Jamie Dedes said:
A wonderful, wonderful post, Liz. I value you too and God bless your David. Must be a very dear man.
I love the photograph. How patient are you dogs! Even they have a good attitude.
Many blessings on this holiday and always,
Jamie
becca givens said:
May the Spirit of Christmas infuse every particle of your life with blessings of joy and peace!! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to you and your loved ones! Thank you for being YOU!!
claudia said:
oh your dogs look cute…and seeing the intent of good will and friendliness in what others do and say is a good thing as well…it’s a joy having you around in blogworld… and a very merry christmas to you
Daydreamertoo said:
I think we all ought to just say what we mean and mean what we say ..however we wish to say it… after all The Pagans celebrated Yule, long before Christianity took parts of it and hijacked it for themselves and, I’m a Christian but, I ‘get’ that we all come to out faith because we believe in what we find comfortable with not by being brainwashed or scared into it. So, I’m with Brian on this…’hanakwanzinonspaghetticusmas’ and a happy new year should cover it …. it’s a pleasure to have you too
Kelvin S.M. said:
..Liz, you know you’re an inspiration to many/to me… your encouraging words both in your writing and comments over at my blog are always noted and appreciated… i may not be good at reading other’s work nor giving comments but i can assure you.. i mean the few words i say… and from the bottom of my heart i want to wish you and your family a PEACEFUL and MERRY..MERRY CHRISTMAS…thank you for your friendship… smiles…
GOD BLESS!!!
Amy@SoulDipper said:
Thoroughly enjoyable visual of your coming home, Liz. The silence of a Christmas Eve snow is the deepest and most spiritual for me…thanks for bringing it back just now. And now, off to open prezzies. May you be blessed by an abundance of poetry in 2013.
Raven said:
Thank you Mary, thanks so much. I appreciate it!
Raven said:
Mel, one of the things that I have always loved about you is that you are such a gracious person. Thank you so much.
Raven said:
Grace, you are welcome. The recognition of them (for the early years) has been long in coming.
Raven said:
Hey! You forgot “Festivus.”
(Seinfeld).
Raven said:
Jamie … how lucky am I to be blessed with your caring loving person? Very! Ah, my D, they come no better. I am indeed both blessed and lucky. AND, don’t let those dog-smiles fool you! Ha! Their energy levels are maniacal.
Raven said:
Dearest Becca, thank you … sometimes over this last year, I know that your prayers kept me plugging on. There is so much gratitude here.
Raven said:
Thank you so very much Claudia.
Raven said:
Daydreamer … I am so loving what you said ……………… so, so much. Lets see, I am a lapsed Catholic turned Methodist, turned Christian with the desire to convert to Judaism … become spiritual … inclusively so! Ah but! Brian forgot Festivus.
Hugs out to you!
Raven said:
Thank you so very much Kelvin. So much. Today I am simply grateful to have found your new blog & you because you grace my life.
Raven said:
Hello, my dear friend, thank you. On this day I wish for you restful sleep and peace filled with dreams of Pup, dreams that upon waking fill you with awe and wonder. (((hugs))).
Raven said:
Thank you Amy so very much. Sending hugs and love and boundless good energy your way.
Ravenblack said:
Merry Christmas to you, dear friend. {hugs}
Being city folk, we tend to be cold and guarded, but it seems around Christmas, we’re a bit nicer.
Christmas where I am was always more loud than quiet — beautiful nightlights, city streets with decorations and giant christmas trees. And I think, the only time of the year when everyone is in better moods. Generally it doesn’t matter over here in Singapore, it’s ok even to wish a muslim a Merry Christmas.
I feel blessed for your friendship and your insights. Internet friendships are as precious and rare to come by as or more so than real life ones. I wish you a wonderful year ahead.
Naomi Baltuck said:
We celebrate both Hanukah and Christmas–so I will wish you a belated Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!
brian miller said:
oh no its after spaghetti (the us)…which is included for those that follow the flying spaghetti monster…no joke, for real…haha…
Raven said:
Hi Ravenblack. Yes, you are a dear friend. An immediate reflection of our true names and our blogosphere names. It was that easy. But I love it. You are so very correct about Internet friendships. Ah, Muslim, Jew, Christian, Hindu – any religion, all are meant to bring peace, each is meant to bring one closer to God … how they have failed. Hugs to you my friend. Thank you.
Raven said:
Thank you Naomi. We used to celebrate both here at home to for a long time. This year we only got as far as buying Hanukkah candles. I put up Christmas decorations for the first time in several years.
I have grave difficulty with the significant amounts of pure hatred that is spewed out by so many. I view religions as languages. Languages that God has given to each culture, so that God and the culture might communicate more clearly. Sadly it has not always worked out that way. And too often religion is used to bludgeon. Thank you for the good wishes … and Happy New Year, and belated Happy New Year too.
Naomi Baltuck said:
Very well said! What an interesting way of thinking about it!
Jamie Dedes said:
Just stopping by to say best wishes for 2013. I hope for every blessing for you and look forward to more on your mother’s story.
Bodhirose said:
A lovely story of your homecoming at 14…what wonderful memories of a beautiful scenery of snow. My best wishes for you in the New Year, Liz, one filled with love, peace and prosperity of the spirit.
Hugs…Gayle
Laurie Kolp said:
I know what you mean about political correctness… I think everyone just needs to chill.
I’m glad you had a great Christmas. I hope 2013 is wonderful to you.
Marylin Warner said:
Two gallantly garbed allies in your corner!
Who could ask for more?
Raven said:
Hi Marilyn, I just found your comment. Thank you. Yes, but very,very naughty too!