Charles Dickens: “Pickwick Papers”
by Pete Weatherby Sr. (deceased)
friends in the country at Dingey Dell. “Christmas was close at hand, in all his buff and hearty honesty; it was the season of hospitality, merriment, and opened heartedness; the old year was preparing, like an ancient philosopher, to call his friends around him, and admits the sound of feasting and revelry to pass gently and calmly away. Gay and merry was the time, and gay and merry were at least four of the numerous hearts that were gladdened by its coming “And numerous indeeds are the hearts to which Christmas brings a brief season of happiness and enjoyment, How many families, whose members have been dispersed and scattered far and wide, in the restless struggles of life, are then reunited... " “.....We write these words now meant miles distant from the spot at which, year after year, we met on that day, a merry and joyous circle. Many of the hearts that throbbed so gaily then, have ceased to beat: many of the looks that shone so brightly then, have ceased to glow; the hands we grasped have grown cold; the eyes we sought have hid their luster in the grave; and yet the old house, the room, the merry voices and smiling faces, the jest, the laugh, the most minute ad trivial circumstances connected with those happy meetings, crowd upon our mind at each recurrence of the season, as if the last assemblage had been but yesterday! Happy, happy Christmas that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveler, thousands of miles away, back to his own fireside and his quiet home!” Dickens is right about the many years and miles separating us from our earlier remembrances, and also about the scattering and dispersing of family members—ever more so than in these present times... The years crowd upon us, and as we get older, the long panorama of Christmas, stretching back to one's childhood, brings with it countless memories, of holidays spent in many different countries. I spent one Christmas on a troopship in the Red Sea, coming home from India to England, and believe me, it was hard to conjure up and image of snowy streets and Christmas cheer in the bowels of a ship in 100 degree heat, with a view of sand and camels from the porthole instead of Santa's reindeer! A few year's later I spent another Christmas n a ship bound for Canada, in happier circumstances emigration to a new land and the captain sat at our table wearing a Santa hat, and there were balloons and streamers and turkey and all the fixings and Christmas pudding to follow, and it was all very jolly as the ship pitched and rolled in the North Atlantic off the coast of Newfoundland! But there is nothing like spending Christmas in the comfort of one's own home and hearth, surrounded by family and friends. Yes, Christmas is a happy, happy time, but to so also a time for quiet reflections and looking back on Christmas past and remembering those friends and loved ones who are no longer here to enjoy the happy times with us. Their faces and smiles are still with us, but Christmas is never quite the same without them, and amid all gaiety we feel inwardly a touch of sadness that they could not be here around the table with us for Christmas dinner. We remember them in out words of grace before the meal...”our absent loved ones...” and for a few moments there is silence at the table. Yes, as the Dickens say, they are still with us in our hearts ad minds, forever, and perhaps there is now a touch of gentleness in the remembrance of them that softens the sorrow we feel at their absence. Yes, we miss them everyday of our lives... and yet we feel that they look down upon our celebrations with smiles and gladness, and while the children run open their presents and enjoy a Christmas in their innocent way, unknowing of what the years will bring, we know that those unseen to us are watching and saying "Yes, this is how Christmas should be!" Enjoy it and celebrate it! Life is brief - do not spend it in sorrow for what has been and is no more - know that we are happy for you, and one day we shall all be together again”! That, is at least how I view Christmas! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! |
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