Christmas 2024. 

As I write these words on Christmas Eve, I’m transported back to cherished memories of past Christmases. These moments, like the ghosts of Christmas Past, haunt me, making it difficult to reflect forward. I wonder,  is it possible to reflect forward, Perhaps I’ll give it a try someday. The most poignant reflections are those spent on the first Christmas without a loved one, especially in 1950,1989, 2001, and 2010. However, the enduring joy of Christmas always prevails in the long run.

When I was a young boy, Santa Claus would always adjust his schedule to accommodate my father’s work commitments. If he was scheduled to work on Christmas Day, somehow Santa would be aware and deliver the presents under the tree on Christmas Eve while we were out in the family car, either driving around to admire Christmas displays or visiting our grandmother. It was peculiar how often our parents would remember something at the last minute and rush back into the house for a brief period before we embarked on our Christmas Eve adventure. I’ll leave you to figure out the rest, but suffice it to say that when we left the house, there were no gifts under the tree, but upon our return, they were there. Naturally, when he was scheduled to work on Christmas Eve, Santa would be aware of that as well, and we would discover our gifts on Christmas morning.

I have fond memories of Christmas in 1962. That was the last Christmas I spent with my Mom, Dad, and sisters just as our small family group, participating in the Christmas celebration. I remember that year fondly because it was a significant milestone in my life. I was becoming a man, had made life long friendships, and was on the cusp of a major life change. By Christmas of 1963, I had enlisted in the Navy. Although I was able to come home for Christmas occasionally, it never felt the same. I celebrated Christmas in Turkey, Germany, and even aboard a U.S. Naval vessel. But here, we simply didn’t feel like we belonged. I guess Dorothy was right when she said, “There’s no place like home.”

That’s about all the time I have to reminisce. I could go on and on, but if I did, I wouldn’t be able to finish this article and publish it on Christmas Day. I’ve been enjoying Christmas Day for almost 8 decades now, and I plan to spend many more as I continue my life. But I didn’t want to miss this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!