Christmastime

This photo popped up in my memories and it hit me pretty hard. The two persons on the left (Richard Mackin in the hat and Dennis Cabanting standing just behind him) of the photograph are no longer with us. They have passed over to the other side, to heaven, or to Valhalla as some would say. Warriors we fought beside who are gone physically but linger on in our minds. Our memories together, of sunburns, dust storms, bombs and bullets, scary roads, and an enemy often unseen. We sat for this photo one evening as we faced our first Christmastime “over there”. I look now at my own eyes and the eyes of my friends here and joy isn’t apparent. If I recall correctly we had been laughing a bit, cutting up and talking of things back home, but in the moment that photo was snapped we didn’t have much to smile about it would seem. Perhaps our thoughts were of missing home or of the ever present danger we all faced that day. Maybe we thought of our kids, our spouse or our kin, gathering around that beautifully lit tree, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads, at the same time pondering this sh@!storm we found ourselves in. (you see what I did there?)

I know that Christmastime is one of happiness and family and it is in fact my favorite time of year. But just because it is Christmastime and I love it doesn’t make it mandatory fun time for everyone else! Anyone who knows me, knows I have my traditions. First, decorating the tree the day after Thanksgiving is a must. Second, certain songs by certain artists must be played during the decorating. Third, a “Dads Christmas Letter” which I write after the holiday season has ended, has been read each year since I returned home from Iraq. It looks back over the year prior and highlights those things the family has been through to remind us each year of the good and sometimes the sad. This is important, I think, to remember during this holiday season….There are those who have a hard time finding “joy” in Christmastime. Their “Dads Christmas Letter” might have a lot more sad than good in it. Maybe this past year they have been through something horrible, maybe they have lost someone which makes it hard to enjoy anything, let alone jingle bells. Take some time this year to see the people around you. To lead with Love, to Listen to them intently and stand in the sh@!storm together with them. It might be the best gift you could give this year.