Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Every Blue Christmas Song Ever Written

Christmas for me has never been a sad time of year. Even when I was 11 and my grandfather passed away on Christmas morning, there was joy in my heart, because I knew Granddad went to be with his Lord and Savior who was born on Christmas morning. The joy came from the hope of something more, something greater, something bigger than me that controlled the future and had, specifically, me in His hand. I trust in a mighty big God.

This year, as October followed September in the normal rush of a year passing by, I watched my mother succumb to cancer. The disease is the cruelest of cruel, no one should have to endure the kind of suffering my mother experienced. Although there was little pain, she experienced a different kind of pain. She experienced the not knowing what was happening to her body, not understanding the kind of future she held and ultimately the cruel loss of not only her body, but her ability to hold onto knowledge and memories. Even worse, the last days she was unable to express her desires to those around her. We had to guess at her needs and pray we offered what she needed at the moment.

Those last precious hours, the family gathered near and held her hand, prayed for and with her, sang to her, and offered comforts as best we knew how. And yet... they weren't enough. They could never be enough, because at one point in time, there would be no more.

It was there in the wee hours of the morning she passed away that I realized I could close my eyes and listen to one song playing around and around in my mind. The single phrase of that one song that kept playing as the morning drifted on was, "I'll have a blue Christmas without you, I'll be so blue thinking about you."

The clarity of Elvis' vibrato voice echoing through the chambers of my mind seemed to speak directly to me. I knew he meant the song for a love, sent away to war, but in those moments, it meant only my Mother would never be with us again. I struggled to say Goodbye, knowing that ultimately, I'll see her again. But still, the knowledge was there that this Christmas would be blue without her. My mother, my treasure, my memories... I will miss you this Christmas.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Colorado Country Christmas in Denver

Denver, Colorado sparks a different kind of interest for those born and raised somewhere amid the mountains and the plains. Native or visitor, none can resist the miracle of walking downtown Denver during the Christmas season with lights twinkling on trees, along the windows and on fences that line the city streets. Breaking into song is not unusual.

“Silver bells” come to mind as shoppers rush to carry packages, and carolers gather at the street corners. Lovers stroll arm in arm along the decorated shops overlooking Colfax, the longest street in the world. Horse drawn carriages roll along the 16th Street Mall and party goers gather outside the Brown Palace in their winter evening finery, the season rushing merrily along.

Try out one of the many gathering spots along Capitol Hill, or visit a church with friends. Attend one of the many city events that happen before Christmas, or around New Years Eve. The parties don’t end on New Year’s night. Epiphany welcomes another round of celebrations, and the coming of the Stock Show brings celebrants from all over the State. If a cowboy stirs the heart, there will be plenty of spurs jingling and chaps rustling come January.

Besides the 16th Street Mall with horse drawn carriages in the snow, there are many romantic holiday sites around the city. Whether seeking the solitude of Lookout Mountain overlooking the brilliant colors of Capitol Hill, or the masses of a Starbucks at midnight, there’s romance around each corner.

Don’t overlook the many street venders offering hot cocoa, roasted chestnuts, or hot spiced cider in downtown for a great evening refreshment option. Luxurious accommodations abound in downtown. Consider the Sheraton, the Brown Palace or the Denver Hilton for a night on Denver. Prefer something further out of town, easier to find parking? Think about the Double Tree, Denver’s Inverness or the Embassy Suites for luxury and easy access.

Rare opportunities present themselves in the Denver Metro area, not a single space misses the grand décor, thrilling with the delight of bright lights, snow falling and ski resorts within a few hours of city life. Denver offers hometown cozy comfort and delightful city scapes of Christmas cheer all wrapped up in one urban setting.

Stay after the Holidays for a visit at the Stock Show.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Yes, Elizabeth, There is a Santa Claus

So, the story goes...

There once was a young girl named Elizabeth who dreamed all her long life of celebrating Christmas in the traditional way. She longed to enjoy the sounds of Mommy baking cookies in the kitchen. Her dreams were shattered one cold winter morning when snowflakes filled up the skies and covered the mountains and she realized that Mommy was at work. She stared out into the white morning and wished upon a snowflake that Mommy would get home in time to bake cookies. It was Christmas Eve and all the day long, Elizabeth walked back to the window, closed her pretty blue eyes and wished on the snow flake, just one more time.

As the day drifted on, Elizabeth played with her baby, she watched a movie. She even danced to the tunes of Christmas Carols played over the radio. In fact, at one point during the day, she stopped having fun just long enough to remember that she hadn't written her letter to Santa. But, she had everything she wanted, if Mommy could just get home in time to bake those Christmas Cookies with her. Elizabeth stopped by the computer for a moment and looked at the keyboard. She knew she sent Gramma messages on the computer sometimes. Sometimes Gramma sent back pictures for Elizabeth to see.

But, that was always when she sat on Mommy's lap. She didn't even know how to turn on the computer. She sat in the chair for a moment and stared at the screen. Nothing happened. Elizabeth climbed down off her chair and ran to the bedroom window. She could stand on her toy box and look out past the trees to the road beyond, high into the sky, and up clear to the mountains west of her home.

"If I shout real loud, I bet Santa will hear me," she whispered to her baby. "I'm going to try it."

She pushed open the window and let the cold air come rushing into her apartment. Then she took a deep breath of the cold winter air and with every thing inside of her, she screamed out, "Santa Claus, all I want for Christmas is for you to bring my Mommy home."

Elizabeth closed the window and stared at the trees. She stared at the road. She stared at the sky. She stared at the mountains looming high on the western horizon. She put her baby in the cradle, covered her up and went back to the living room to wait for Mommy.

She danced to the tune of Jingle Bells, and listened for sleigh bells. She watched her favorite Christmas movie, and listened for sleigh bells. She watched the lights blinking on the tree, and she listened for sleigh bells. Snow flakes kept falling and the after noon faded away.

She fixed herself a sandwich and settled down with her blanket to watch another movie and wait. The skies outside grew dim. Lights twinkled on all over the city and she listened for sleigh bells to ring. Elizabeth struggled to keep her eyes open, but slowly they drifted closed and she slept for a while.

Then, outside she heard reindeer hooves, sleigh bells ringing, and the sound of Santa's "Ho, Ho, Ho" and she opened her eyes. Right there in front of her with a big platter of Christmas cookies, Mommy stood before the fire place.

"Mommy!" Elizabeth cried.

"I made it home, just in time to make Santa's cookies," Mommy gave her a giant hug and squeezed her tight. "I missed you, Baby Girl!" Mommy exclaimed as she set the cookies on the table and picked her up to swing her wide in her arms.

"Mommy, you're home to be here when Santa arrives." Elizabeth chattered on about her day and how she'd opened the window and exclaimed as loud as she could to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas.

"So, little miracle worker, what is it you want for Christmas?" Mommy asked Elizabeth standing there in the light of a full moon glistening off the snow.

"I told Santa, I just wanted you home in time to make Santa's cookies." Elizabeth announced delightedly.

"And here I am," Mommy smiled.

The room began to sparkle and glow, a little at a time and then a whole lot as the Merry old Elf appeared with his pack. "Your mommy is home, where she belongs Elizabeth. And now, I have something very special for you and your mommy." He pulled open his pack and brought out a pair of matching boxes, one small Elizabeth sized box and one bigger Mommy sized box tied up with bright red ribbon.

Elizabeth pulled the ribbon free and opened her box to find a pretty white apron. Inside Mommy's box was another pretty white apron - mommy sized of course.

"Wow! Mommy, look at what I got!"

"Elizabeth, that is so you and Mommy can make cookies any time of year. Just put on your aprons together and you'll always have enough makings for cookies, and milk to drink with them." Santa Claus smiled back at her and with a nod and a wink he rose up the chimney and disappeared.

As he drove out of sight, she heard him exclaim. "Yes Elizabeth, there is a Santa Claus and he wishes you a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year."

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Christmas Wall Décor with Panache and Style

Entry halls often don’t have a lot of space to decorate, and most of our homes lack the distinction of a foyer big enough for a Christmas Tree, but there’s nothing that says you can’t hang something fun and exciting on the walls. These ideas will bring Christmas to your home, without a lot of high cost.

1 – Music

An old violin found in a yard sale inspired the first decoration. We used soft chenille wire to connect the violin and the bow, then added a hook to the back, using the same chenille wire. A pair of brass candle sconces we used year round were already decorated with miniature silk poinsettia, and tall red candles. Frame three pieces of tea stained Christmas sheet music in gold gilded frames (or sprayed over black frames)and tie a few poinsettias onto the violin handle and curl a few gold pipe cleaners through the leaves , tie with a perky Christmas ribbon and you’ve got a nice wall grouping.

Place a basket on the hall table to collect Christmas cards and you’ve got a delightful entry.

2 – Evergreen Boughs

There’s nothing like fresh evergreen that says “Welcome” to guests. But, if you’re allergic, you may have to substitute fake greenery. Outside, tie in real fruit and seed pods for the animals. Inside tie in a few strands of colorful ribbon, some Christmas bulbs and maybe a few gilded pine cones. Add a big red poinsettia and you’ve got an entry hall fit for kings (and the in-laws).

3 – Snapshots of Christmas Past

Always welcome at Christmas are memories of Christmas Past. Post them in the front hall in a series of frames, or even one big frame with many small portholes. Tie a red ribbon on the top of each photo frame and add sprigs of greenery where possible. On a table or shelf underneath, place a crystal bowl of Christmas Ribbon Candy and you’ll have an enticement that can’t be resisted.

Jan Verhoeff writes creative articles to share values, principles and concepts that bring good cheer to the neighborhood around the world. Visit her site at http://janverhoeff.com and find out how you can enjoy the holiday celebrations, or any day with more verve and style.

Decorate Your Christmas with Colorado Country Flavor

In Colorado there are many different cultural basics, but one stands true through them all. We all love the decorations of winter. In fact, we love them so much that we often leave them up through January, and if we can get away with it February too.

So, when you realize your decorations may stay up for a while, you go that extra mile to make sure they’re seasonal, appropriate and more than the neighbors!

Start out with the basics:

Lights, outdoor displays and several bails of straw to create the backdrop for an amazing nativity should take you through the essentials. You probably have crosses of various sizes saved from previous years, but if not, you can make some simple nativity forms by making crosses with 18 to 24 inch cross pieces and various height 2 X 2 sticks. I usually use about six from 4 – 7 feet in height. (I do stick at least a foot or two in the ground, so it’s nice to have a nice point on one end.)

All summer long, we search the yard sales for appropriate robes and sheets to make the nativity. I’ve never paid more than about four dollars for all of them (usually at ten cents each). Select dark or drab colors, or plan to throw them all in a vat of dark blue die before the season. Different colors and fabric will accept the dye differently, so you still won’t have all one color. Use some straw to fill up the fabric, and wrap the cross figures to make them look like a nativity. A strip of cloth wrapped around the top of the cross acts as the head, draped with about a quarter of a sheet and tied with a cloth to appear as a shepherd, Mary, or Joseph, and a much smaller form in the “manger” wrapped in sheet tails makes a perfect baby Jesus. (Don’t put the baby in the manger until Christmas Eve.)

Post various yard displays in different parts of the yard, centered by the nativity. Don’t forget to pile any snow toward the back of the yard to form your own version of the Rocky Mountains, my favorite part of a Colorado Country Christmas!

Jan Verhoeff writes creative articles to share values, principles and concepts that bring good cheer to the neighborhood around the world. Visit her site at http://janverhoeff.com and find out how you can enjoy the holiday celebrations, or any day with more verve and style.