Like most everyone, I’m getting older. Sheesh, I have lived in Switzerland longer than I haven’t. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Yet, some American things, like Christmas memories are still very special to me.
The song ‘White Christmas’ is a perfect combination of melancholy and longing. It ignites images of childhood Christmas’. Irving Berlin and Bing Crosby did a pretty good job of writing and singing the song. I read that Bing Crosby once said that the hardest thing he ever had to do was sing White Christmas at a USO1 show during WWII. It was hard not to break down and cry when 100,000 G.I.s2 were in tears.
Living in upstate New York, we probably had more white Christmas’ than not. Snow for a child has a different meaning than for an adult. For me as a child it meant building igloos in the front yard and hot chocolate. It meant that Christmas was coming and the excitement of decorating the tree and Christmas morning. Christmas also meant the smells of a turkey roasting and those memories will always be a part of me.
It’s not that I long for a white Christmas, I’m adult now. I can do without trying to get from A to B while slip-sliding on a snowy, slushy road. Nope. I’m okay with a rainy Christmas if it has to be.
Still, remembering Christmas’ past gives me a warm feeling. Wonderful memories of loving people who you can no longer be with brings tears to my eyes. I long for the Christmas’ I used to know. People who helped make me who I am, who shared their smiles, kisses and love with me. I miss them.
Wishing you and yours a White Christmas, just like the ones you used to know…
1. USO is United Service Organizations. It’s an American nonprofit corporation that provides live entertainment to members of the United States Armed Forces.
2. G.I. stands for Government Issue. It became a term for U.S. soldiers.
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