When all is said and done, there is one Christmas gift that remains in my memory and in my heart. It was given to me by my Mom.
Mom made every Christmas special, which was a miraculous feat considering the circumstances of my youth. It was magical. We received gifts, but not necessarily the ones we dreamt of as we wore out the Sears Christmas Catalogue. The real gift, hidden in the crayons and colouring books, the chocolate drops, and the annual banana and orange in the stocking, and the gift at the heart of the wrapped present under the brightly lit tree, was the fierce protection of, and delight in, our innocence and our vulnerabilities. Despite all odds, Santa arrived at our house after we fell asleep on Christmas Eve, no matter what other dramas were playing out in the world.
The message to us was that we belonged to the human race, that we were valued members of the species. To be born, that made us special enough to deserve our innocence, and our sense of belonging.
There is no greater gift.
How I would love to share this gift with every child born to our species, on Christmas Day, or any other day of the year.
Wishing everyone peace and joy!
Worldly Distractions
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Quote
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
Dr. Seuss
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful and much loved mother! I was lucky in my choice of mothers too, and can give her all the credit for my happy Christmas memories. Happy New Year, Maggie!
Your excellent choice of mothers shines through in your writing Lucky Few! For us it was our Mother’s who gave us such rich gifts, for others these same gifts are given to them by other people who touch their lives with magic, and at times other than Christmas.
Happy New Year Diane!
I see it as a sign… when I hear or read the same thing twice in a short period of time.
You said: “To be born, that made us special enough to deserve our innocence, and our sense of belonging.”
Last night I listened to a radio show while in bed, and the subject was about attending church services on Christmas Eve… a caller called and spoke to the host about “the gift of innocence” and the host kept questioning her on that idea… he is not particularly smart in the first place, and I don’t know why I even listen to him, but she persevered about innocence being a spark of Christmas and its importance in humanity…
So you mentioned it again, and now I am pondering the word and the meaning during this holiday season… how innocence sometimes is rarely found anymore, but I see it every day in our pets… not so much in humans, but then I don’t get out much. You are an inspiration to me Maggie Turner… thank you and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.
I find myself thinking your special mom didn’t put as much thought into your innocence as you have. I think maybe just love and her interest in your happiness worked together to create all the pleasant experiences you remember and cherish. Not that it matters, it’s the heart of the holiday that grows and passes down the generations that matters.
Merry Christmas, Maggie, Attila, and family!
Bex, as soon as you mentioned the radio show you were listening to, and innocence, I thought of you fur family, and how fiercely you protect their innocence, their health, and their lives.
It is not surprising that a radio host would have trouble understanding such a concept as innocence. Nor is innocence discernible in the usual media portrayal of reality. But I think it is everywhere, I see it often, in strangers, our neighbours, my Grandchildren, my Mom, my sisters, and I feel it is alive and present in the people who gift me with their comments on this blog. Admittedly I avoid spending time with people who, like the radio host, have lost, or perhaps never found, their own innocence. But I do think that it is alive and well in the people around us, even if the movers and shakers have left theirs by the wayside.
Wishing you, Paul, your fur family and everyone you care about, the very best today, and in the coming year!
Merry Christmas to you Teri, and Brian and your loved ones!
A lot of my innocence was lost before I was adopted, but not all. My parents both worked to keep it in me, but I think it was a certain aunt that REALLY thought it was important. She is the one that loved freely, at least to me. The giving of love to a child helps them keep their innocence. For when you truly love the child you try to protect the child from all that would take the innocence away.
Happy Christmas to you, hope you are enjoying your family!
So very well said, Maggie! Much holiday joy to you, Attila, and your children!
Lee Ann, your Aunt sounds like a very special woman, and a wise one, how fortunate to have had her in your life.
Wishing you and your loved ones a healthy, happy, and peaceful holiday season!
Thanks Joan!
Sending warm wishes to you and Julia, may your day be filled with peace and joy!
Lee said it better than I did. While I don’t think your mother focused on your innocence I do think that through love you do all that you can to protect a child, and when you do that their innocence is protected as much as you’re able.
Hi Maggie,
Hoping your holiday was filled with good memories and cheer.
x0x0x0x Nora
Thanks Nora! Wishing you and your husband the very best of the Season! May the coming year bring all the positive changes you dream of!