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A Stolen Holiday
An Original Story by Patti Christensen
Once upon a time there was a woman, no a family, no a village, no a city, no a state, no a country, no a world that
was upset. They were upset because some very bad things had happened and they were scared. Not just a bit
scared, but BIG TIME FRIGHTENED that the bad things would happen again. Or that different bad things that
they could think of would happen - or even new terrible bad things that they haven't even heard of yet and didn't
really understand, that those could happen soon. And so they waited and held their breath.
And when it came time for "the holidays" many people said, "Let's not have them this year. What if by having them,
we make the bad things happen? What if we let our guard down even for a day and the bad things get us?"
So people began canceling their holidays. They cancelled parties and plane reservations, and sending out cards, and
decorating their homes. They cancelled letters, and visits to grandma, and driving to see friends, and caroling for sick
people in the hospital. They cancelled baking, and pageants, and feasting, and gathering.
They stayed home and waited for the bad things. And watched for the bad things. And worried all the time. And
then, one day, someone asked this question: "If we cancel everything we love, everything we trust and look forward
to, haven't the bad things really gotten us anyway? Didn't they win?"
And so one day, that woman, that family, that village, that city, that state, that country, that world all woke up and
decided that this was the year not to cancel, but especially to celebrate . . . and they began to hum little holiday
songs, and leave little holiday surprises around, and plan parties and send packages . . .
But part of what happened was, the people started to look at which of the traditions they liked, and they did those
ALL OUT. And they thought of the traditions and expectations and demands they HATED and decided that life
was too short and precious and uncertain to do those even one more time. And so they didn't.
And the phone calls were ever so much sweeter, and the gatherings often ended with hugs and kisses all around the
circle. And friends who haven't talked in years sent each other emails saying, "I miss you. You are still important to
me."
And people began volunteering all over the place. Programs had to turn people away, because so many people said,
"I have so much. I am so grateful. How can I help?"
And they helped in beautiful ways. Miracles happened. People lit candles to remind themselves about how powerful
lights are, especially in the darkness. And those lights shone so brightly. And grownups spent less
time worrying about what they were going to buy their kids, and more time creating special memories their children
would have for the rest of their lives.
And as the New Year rolled around, a deepest wish was passed from heart to heart for true peace on earth, and
that each of us should truly live all the days of our lives.
For Patti, the Spirit of the Holidays is about deeply connecting with others, jettisoning the pressures and harassments,
meaningless traditions, and NOT walking the malls in crazy-making buying sprees.
This year she is celebrating by experiencing
the richness of the cultures around us, such as Ramadan and the Mexican Christmas Posada procession.
For those who are no longer with us this year, it's re-doing your holidays to remember them with love and beginning
to fill the holes in our hearts. And it also means doing wild and crazy things -- like driving with her husband from San
Diego to see the Grand Canyon before New Years and then racing back to sleep out on the sidewalks in Pasadena
to attend the Rose Parade New Year's day. She says, "Celebrate the ways you want this year ALL OUT!"
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