Ghosts of Christmas Past

I am sure that everyone has seen some rendition of “A Christmas Carol”. I have seen many versions over many years. So when I speak of Ghosts from Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future you will have a notion of what I am talking about. My Ghosts of Christmas Present are no ghosts at all as they are events of current times and the event is commanded by people and circumstances over which I have little or no control. The Ghosts of Christmas Future may be illuminated in a future article but today I am going to concentrate on the Ghosts from Christmas Past, or at least my view of who they are.

When I speak of Ghosts of Christmas Past, my Ghosts are of loved ones who have passed and with who I can no longer share the joy of celebrating Christmas. Although there are a number of people in that list , including Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and friends, the ghosts most predominant in my mind are my twin brother, my Father, my Mother, and my Mother-in law. The are listed, not in an order of importance, but in the order they were lost. Since all of these ghosts have been haunting me of late, I want to give mention to each and how they have affected my life and my Christmas pasts.

My fraternal twin brother Timothy Raymond Lind passed away at the age of four. I am not really clear on his cause of death but I recall my mother saying in later years that had it happened in later times it would have been quickly corrected and he probably would have survived. I have only a few, vague, memories of my twin, and none of him at Christmas time. But I cannot help but wonder what all those Christmas pasts would have been like if he had been there to share them with us. I so wish he had. Merry Christmas Tim!

My Father, Carl A. Lind, passed away in 1989 at the age of 69. No question but that he was the most influential man in my life and he taught me all the life lessons I needed to live a successful life. I only wish I had paid better attention and used all the wisdom he try to impart to me. My Father was a police officer and often had to work on Christmas Day. His work schedule determined whether Santa would visit us on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Regardless of when the event transpired, he was always there and always involved. I can still picture him happily engaging each of us as we opened our gifts. I miss you Dad. Merry Christmas!

My Mother Helen R. Lind, was a gentle soul who rarely spoke a cross word. When she was younger and able she fully embraced Christmas. I remember her out shopping almost up to the last day, wrapping gifts, and preparing. Her preparations always paid off because we were never disappointed on Christmas Day (or Christmas Eve). My memory of her was her being there watching us all as we opened our gifts. There was a wistfulness to her smile, I am sure it was because of Tim. I miss you Mom. Merry Christmas!

Last, but certainly not least, is my Mother-in-law Dolores Ladrigan. She was a second mother to me and was not only my second mother but a true friend as well. I can say that in knowing her for over 35 years, that she was never cross and we never exchanged angry words. She was quick to offer advice or to pitch in and help. She was exactly the opposite of what is frequently portrayed in movies and television of a stereotypical mother-in-law. I have a winter coat that is torn and becoming dilapidated. I refuse to give it up, because it was a Christmas gift from her. She always made Christmas special. Merry Christmas, Dori!

Those are my Ghosts of Christmas Past. Although they are frequently in my thoughts throughout the year, they seem to dominate my thoughts and dreams much more so during the season of Christmas. I always get melancholy this time of year. I do not know if the memories of them make me melancholy or if the memories of them help to ease it. I do know I cherish the memories of them and often think, wouldn’t it be wonderful if they all could be here for just one more Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all!
Those are my thoughts, what are yours?

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