Now that Christmas is past us we can now look forward to the coming year and what it will be bringing. Before we leave the Christmas holiday completely I was thinking about the music of Christmas and it occurred to me that of all the music we listen to and sing, it seems the songs that touch us most deeply are those that speak of home.
I'll Be Home For Christmas and There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays are the two that come to mind. Whenever we hear them performed, or join in singing it seems nostalgia and longing for the warm memories of Christmas Past overtake us. Perhaps this is a part of us wanting to recapture the comforts and simplicity of life enjoyed as a child.
The struggles of life, the daily stresses of living, the demands of work and family didn't exist then.
Our big decisions were when the next meal was going to be served and what games we would play. Mom and Dad took care of us, made sure there was food on the table and clean clothes in the dresser. A warm place to sleep would meet us every night and breakfast was on the table when we woke up. And when we woke on Christmas morning the tree was magically surrounded by piles of brightly wrapped gifts and toys we had dreamed of for months.
That all this was the result of hard work, many behind the scene sacrifices, planning and often spending money that wasn't there never entered our minds.
I've no doubt there are those whose memories of childhood are not so pleasant. For them I am sad. To have been raised in a difficult environment where one wasn't afforded the luxury of being a child, shielded from the cares of life would be sad indeed. But even then, on close examination I'm sure in most cases there would be good memories of pleasures borne of the struggle.
Yes, there really is no place like home for the holidays. I enjoy the life I have today, enjoy sharing the Christmas season with my wife's family. Still, after about 18 years of not doing so, I really do long for the time when I can once again spend some time at Christmas with my parents and siblings all together. I know that the Christmases of my mind can no longer exist, just being together once again would be wonderful. There truly is No Place Like Home For The Holidays