It is 1970,
in Fullerton, California,
and the only way
I know
Christmas time is here
is that my brothers and I
are huddled around the TV
(in pre-videotape days)
to watch
the single annual showing
of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Seeing the clear blue skies
bordered by the palm trees
in manicured front lawns,
I couldn’t fathom
the appeal of a white Christmas.
Stores decked themselves out
with festive tinsel,
evergreen garlands
silver bells, and
there was that familiar, comforting
music everywhere.
Even then
as a 7 year old
I sensed the season
was about more
than colorfully wrapped presents,
or diving headfirst
into a marshmallow world,
and I still try to find
a quiet moment
on Christmas Eve,
if not an entire
silent night,
to be thankful
for a gift that
I may never fully
appreciate.
amen. we lived in Florida a couple years....def a different feel to the season...seeing the armada of floating lights was cool...and there was a place down in tampa that made it snow each year which was really cool...and what it is all about, yeah you know...smiles.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brian - Christmas in California is usually picture-perfect and that's how I like it. I was in Maryland one year at Christmas, and it was nice and snowy, the people were nice until a drunk White guy wished me a "Happy Beaner Christmas." Ever since then, I've stayed here. :) Happy Thansgiving to you!
DeleteI really like this. You've captured that intangible something.
ReplyDeleteThanks, MZ and Happy Birthday! Have some cake for me!
DeletePsst - I was 8 in 1970! I like this, and the memories it brought back...ah, the Charlie Brown Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteThis was totally wonderful! Thank you for showing us how it's done! - deb
ReplyDelete