Christmas 2011

O Lord, in the stillness of this morning let us recall the mystery of your love.

A life come to earth that we may learn to love one another,

To live in your love that we may live in peace.

 

To family and friends,

Have a blessed, safe and merry Christmas.

Take time for those you love and be sure to take time for yourself.

- Cathy

December 24th – The Day We Met

Was it really that long ago?   It was Christmas Eve, 1977.  I was nineteen.

Earlier that week I was preparing to play music at Midnight Mass.

Your sister and I had become fast friends, having met at the church youth group.  The week of Christmas she invited me to Christmas Eve dinner.  She mentioned your mother made her famous home-made tamales, oh, and  her brother would be there.

“Brother?  Your older brother and his family?…You have another brother?  Really?”  Who knew what that gesture of friendship would bring!

I arrived, guitar in hand.  I wasn’t planning on singing anything, but I definitely didn’t want to leave the guitar in the car.

I rang the doorbell and you answered.  I said hello and introduced myself.  I thought, hey, nice eyes…nice smile…nice looking!

The evening went quickly because I had to get to church early.  Everyone was trying to visit with you since you were on leave from the Air Force.  I know we only spent a few minutes talking.

Your sister asked me if I would sing something.

As much as I’ve sung in public I was always shy about singing in a close-knit setting.  Most people are surprised by that but it’s true.  After a little bit of prodding I broke out the guitar.  Knowing your parents spoke Spanish, I decided to sing Silent Night because I could sing it in Spanish and English.

I didn’t realize that my voice was part of what made you take notice of me.

I said my good-byes.  You asked me if you could carry my guitar to the car.  I said sure.  Normally I would say no when people asked me if they could help.  I was always my own roadie.

It’s funny how decisions that ordinarily are so minor can make a huge impact on our lives.

It wasn’t a long distance to the car.  Once the guitar was in the trunk you said the most memorable line of the evening.

“Aren’t you going to give me a tip?”

I was thinking of making joke,”Here’s a tip.  Take this one from me!” but I couldn’t think of a punch line that quickly.  Instead, I looked at you, smiled, said thank-you and gave you a quick kiss on the cheek.  You smiled at me, wished me a Merry Christmas and we said good-bye.

I knew you were on leave from the Air Force, so I wasn’t sure that I was going to see you again.

Little did I know that we would go out later in the week while you were still on leave.

On that night I certainly didn’t expect to become engaged, break up, get back together, and finally marry you seventeen years later!

We met 34 years ago on Christmas Eve.  I’m glad I said yes to your sister’s invitation as it turned out to be one of the most important days of my life.

What an adventure!

Happy Anniversary, Al.

Love, Cathy

The Best Christmas Tree Ever

A number of years ago I shared a house with my sister Rose, her husband  Alfred and their kids.  Like any household we had our share of ups and occasional downs.  One particular year, for a number of reasons, we went through a rough stretch in terms of funds.  With Christmas approaching we knew that this year would be very lean.

For us, Christmas was not about presents.  Christmas was about celebrating the birth of Christ.  It wasn’t necessary to have a tree and decorations.  We could forego the presents and the trappings of the season.  What about the kids?

The younger kids would be okay.  What about my older nephew, Bob?  My sister was worried he may not understand.  How would he feel if he didn’t get any presents?  We would not be able to get a Christmas tree this year.  She knew she would have to tell him.  I didn’t envy her.

Christmas Eve arrived and there was no tree.  At my job there was a holiday lunch.  The office manager announced she would recognize the top three employees for the year.  Surprise! My name was announced second!  As part of the recognition I received, amongst other things, a check for $100.00.  I knew exactly what I was going to do.

I cashed the check and went home.  Bob was there.  I told him that I had a surprise and we had work to do!  We were going to get a tree!  I explained to him we still couldn’t splurge because I also wanted to be able to buy groceries for a nice meal plus a present or two.  He understood.

We jumped in the car and made our way to a tree lot.  Since it was late in the season we thought there might be slim pickings.  The man at the lot asked us if we wanted a large tree?  I said I didn’t know if we had that much money.  He laughed and said that it was the day before Christmas,  This was the last day for the tree lot.  We could have a 7 foot tree for $10.  Really?  That’s all?  Yes, that’s all – did we want two trees? Bob’s eyes lit up, but I said one large tree would be great.

When we got home my sister had a happy but puzzled look on her face.  I told her what happened as we brought the tree inside.  The decorations were still in the garage.  Before heading out for a family gathering we spent Christmas Eve decorating the tree.

There weren’t many presents that year but it didn’t matter.  The house and our spirits were brighter.  Yes, times were lean, but there was still much to celebrate.

Christmas is about the recognition that a miracle changed the world.  For us, our  tree was also a reminder that in spite of some tough times it was good to celebrate what we did have.  We had a happy household and we had each other.

Christmas Music Already? Hmmm…

Last week I turned on the radio in the car expecting to hear some classic rock.  What did I hear? Christmas music!  What?  So soon?

Forgive me if I sound like a Scrooge, but it wasn’t my cup of tea at that moment.

For me Christmas is not a secular day.  It is a deeply spiritual and religious day.  There is a time and a purpose in being able to wait for this day.   In some religious traditions this time of waiting is called Advent.  In others, there is no name, but there is a time to prepare.  A time to be still, to reflect on what the world would really be like if there was peace on earth and good will toward everyone.

Yes, I do send Christmas cards and give gifts.  I am the odd person who strongly prefers to write Christmas cards with a fountain pen.  For me, there is something very traditional in that.  I realize the recipient doesn’t know this, but it makes a difference to me.  I can’t rush.  I have to slow down when writing them or I will make a mistake.  I admit I am a crafter, crocheting a variety of items to give away during the holidays.  More on this in a future post.  Since this takes time I work on projects well before Christmas.  I see this as a personal endeavor, a way to pace myself and calm my mind in the midst of all that goes on around me.

As far as the radio I asked myself what the fuss was all about.  I had no rational reason.  Did I?  Somehow it just didn’t feel right.  The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the when reflections and religious ceremonies often begin in terms of preparation for Christmas.  I know it’s not that far away.  I guess it was the realization that this waiting time is a part of me.  It’s important to me, even if it is something that I hold quietly within myself.  I guess I didn’t appreciate the interruption in that personal cycle.

My husband later joked with me and reminded me that I often brighten up when I hear Jose Feliciano sing Feliz Navidad.  He’s right.  Some people don’t care for the song, but it is part of my culture.  It was a song that crossed boundaries growing up in a predominantly Hispanic area.  It was a song that, growing up, I learned to play on the guitar with classmates.  Everyone would sing it at the top of their lungs.  Later, I learned to add percussive instruments like claves and the guiro.  Even though I haven’t played much music recently these rhythms are a part of me.

When I heard the Christmas music last week I changed the radio station.  It had been a while since I enjoyed jazz in the car.  It will be a nice change of pace until I’m ready to tune into the “sounds of the season.”  I can wait until then.