12.23.06
A Time to Remember
During the holiday season, we often recall people and events of the past that comprise our collective “Christmas Memories.” Unless my experience has been very unlike yours, some of these recollections may be terrific, while other thoughts could just go away and that would be an improvement.
For some reason this morning, I woke up thinking about polar bears. Maybe it is because I so enjoy the polar bear Christmas ornament from the Smithsonian gift shop that my sister gave me one year. Perhaps it is because of the oversize and beautiful book about Polar Bears that we gave as a Christmas gift to someone who really loves the bears. Upon opening the gift, she said, “You know, this book is very important because, with global warming, the bears are drowning and may not be with us much longer.” Sad, but true.
I began to think of the other end of the world where Penquins live, the Antarctic, where the environment (global warming) is also having an impact. My late uncle, a NCO in the U.S. Army was responsible for sled dogs, in expeditions he went on with Admiral Bryd. In fact, I am proud to know that “Dolleman Island,” was named after my uncle Hendrik, (my mother’s sister’s husband, who originally came from the Netherlands.)
I remember him being gone at Christmas time a few years. Before he left, I would always ask him to bring me home a Penguin. Of course, I was quite small then, and didn’t realize the ramifications of this childhood fantasy. When he would come home, penguin-less, he would say, “Sorry, Kind, maybe next time.” (I assume that “Kind,” pronounced “kent,” means child.)
Still thinking about polar bears and penguins, Al Gore’s campaign to save the environment comes to mind, as well as his film, “An Inconvenient Truth.” In a sense, it is too bad that we have come to distrust public officials, perhaps even former ones. Some may suspect that those individuals have some hidden agenda or “ax to grind.” Frankly, I am surprised that more people are not jumping up and down and reacting more strongly to the information set forth in the film, a real call to do something positive, while we still can.
Personally, I am happy that someone is speaking out. I do hope that the habitat of both the polar bears and penguins can be saved. Ironically, although these creatures live at each end of the world, and do not cohabitate, they are often seen together on Christmas cards!
The Christmas memories that hold the most meaning for me are simple ones: attending Midnight Mass, which meant that I could stay up late, just like the grown-ups; making cut-out Christmas cookies with my mom; enjoying her Coconut Cake and Stollen, two family traditions; unwrapping dolls, and maybe a new sled or skates; and just having more family around. I also remember that my brother, Jack, would stay awake, bleary-eyed, to listen for Santa to land on the roof. The next morning, he would report that he had actually heard the sleigh bells! That was the magic of Christmas!
Whether you are well or ill, surrounded by many people or by no one, please make the time to do a few things to bring joy into your own life and that of others. Call an old friend, put some $$ in the Salvation Army bucket, read an uplifting book, watch the old, tried and true, Christmas specials, like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or knit a scarf! The fact of the matter is, you are still here, and that is cause for celebration! Please make this Christmas one to remember!
Patricia
