I always become a bit more enthusiastic, passionate, and excited this time of year. There is definitely something about the “magic” that is created that helps put a little more spring in your step…a little more love in your heart…a little more kindness witnessed day in and day out from one person to another...and well, just a little bit more of a Christmas miracle in this world that sometimes can be a bit difficult to navigate at times.
Now, this might be funny, but growing up, I was always jealous of those kids in the movies that had an attic. And my jealousy was certainly not directed towards the “scary” attics that have the spider webs, the creaky boards, or the ghosts that dwell there along with the musty air. My jealousy was more directed towards the attics that you observe in the Christmas movies.
It’s that cozy space that is still well-kept. It’s the attic that has the frosted widow in winter that looks out into the moonlit and peaceful wooded surroundings covered in snow. It’s a space where family memories are kept. Where there is a timeworn weathered rocking horse that the children relished and played with in their youth nestled along the wall.
It’s also that same space where you can find a suitably placed box in the corner, which includes memoirs of Christmas past in the form of pictures and the old 8 mm films which may help create a quivering lip or even may assist in drawing a tear for those that witness, and finally remember their existence. It’s also an area where there are two rocking chairs purposely placed in front of the widow with two fresh and clean blankets to help weather the cold.
In my mind, there’s only one more thing to add to those chairs to help create the perfect setting…two young children. The ones with the eyelids that are seeking to defy gravity or just need to rest, trying as hard as they can to stay awake, so that they might observe the arrival of good ole St. Nick. And just as soon as they start to nod off with “visions of sugar plums” dancing in their heads, they are quickly woken by the distant clatter and tapping of the reindeer hooves “up on the housetop” with the faint jingle of the bells and Santa and sleigh in tow. Which, in turn, makes the kids “run to the window…like a flash,” and tear “open the shutters and throw up the sash" all while trying to get a glimpse of the jolly ole man they believe in.
So not to keep you during the holidays, but I challenge you to go find that place this evening, that attic, to either reaffirm or to once again become that believer that magic does and can exist to help usher in Christmas Day. Who knows, you too may hear those distant jingle bells or the tapping of the reindeer hooves, which always help welcome in the Christmas season.
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
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