Letter: Christmas memory chest

From: Charlene Anderson
Winsted
In my opinion, considering the grim economy (which has obviously hit even harder during this Christmas season) – maybe, just maybe, if we’d redirect our focus to the following words – we could turn around our thoughts to what this time of year is really all about.

If there was a place to store special memories
The most treasured
and the best,
I would keep them not
only in my heart
But also in a Christmas memory chest.

Therein would lie music
and smiles
The twinkle of tinsel and lights upon the tree,
The echo of children’s laughter
A new puppy yipping
with glee!

The smell of grandma’s
cookies
Going to church on
Christmas Eve,
A slower-paced time long ago
When no one had to hurry up and leave.

When gift buying wasn’t so chaotic
Coming up with enough money wasn’t such a chore!
When kids appreciated a pair of new pajamas
Instead of video games or iPods and more, more, more!

Whatever happened to
enjoying this special time
This family-geared
holiday season?
We shop, shop, shop
and really . . .
What is the reason?

Perhaps we need to slow the pace down a bit,
Breathe-in the moments
and feel at peace. . .
Maybe spend more time
with our families,
Be more tolerant of the
kitty in the tree!

Be kinder to eachother,
Be more mindful of our worth,
Remember that one of the greatest gifts to wish for,
Is that there be peace
on earth . . .

If there was a place to store special memories
The most treasured
and the best,
What would you keep
in your heart,
And in your christmas memory chest?

“He who has no Christmas
in his heart
will never find Christmas under a tree.”