The Christmas Grinch

Anyone that knows me for any length of time, knows that I'm not the biggest supporter of holidays...even Christmas.  Now before everyone starts getting all freaky on me......I love the reason behind Christmas.  I love the quiet and gentle ways that we express Christmas, I just don't like the mad, in your face, rush to buy presents for everyone on your list and will Aunty Bertha love the crocheted slippers and what about the Ham or the Turkey?  Oh now what are we going to do about Uncle Billy when he shows up drunk and then there are all the presents and decorations and bills!!  Jimmy-Sue is gonna be pissed if we don't give her 2nd cousin twice removed something form that swanky store in the mall and how will we ever live up to that??? 

I actually knew someone who makes a list of all the presents that he spent money on, where he bought it, how much it cost, any funny anecdotal story that happened during the shopping trip, if he saw it cheaper somewhere else and how he accomplished an exchange for the cheaper item, and how much money he saved.  I have also known someone who, upon receiving their presents, proceeded to complain about them in  hushed tones in the next room, "They can give more than THAT!"  I can only imagine what they said about the presents we gave while we were also going through bankruptcy and nearly being homeless. 

Yeah, that's right, while we were going through rough times we tried to stop the present exchange madness.  It didn't work, "Oh just wrap up anything."  We were strong armed into giving presents.  We gave them batteries.  LOL  I'm sure they just loved that!  We must have been the talk of THAT evening after we left....probably before as well. 

We finally did climb off that present-buying-madness machine.  People didn't like it.  We'd get a snotty comment or two every now and then.  BUT WE WERE FINALLY FREE!!!  We didn't even buy for each other....we bought only for our 3 children.  We would give a little to charity, and one time even gave a present intended for our children to a neighbor going through financial times.  We are not opposed to giving.....to those who need it....to those that have struggled and those that are innocent.  We have been there.  To be at a point where you can't afford food and shelter for yourself, but being told that you had to buy for family....it sucks!

So, see....I'm not really a Scrooge or a Grinch....although my Facebook name says I am.  LOL  I just have grown weary of the IN YOUR FACE CHRISTMAS BONANZA!!! that some people celebrate.  I don't even mind that celebration for THEM......just don't get pissy when I don't want to participate.  

I remember, when we lived back in Georgia, the neighbor that I mentioned earlier, was in financial trouble.  I remember the Momma telling me that they had to tell their young children that Santa couldn't make it to their house that Christmas that year.  She told me the boys cried, "But we've been good Momma!!  Why doesn't Santa love us?!!"  It broke her heart and mine also.  We hugged and I told her that somehow things would get better.  I mentioned to my parents about the plight of this young family and they were in a position to help out.  They took $500 and placed it in an envelope and told me to give it to the neighbor.  So I took the gift that we were giving (Toss Across) and the envelope to them.  They cried.  It was absolutely the sweetest thing I have ever seen.  The Papa, a legal Cuban refugee, far away from home and family, cried like a baby.  The Momma, a legal U.S. Citizen from Mexico....also far from home....nearly passed out.  They would be able to have a Christmas and pay a few bills that year.  It was beautiful. 

THAT is what Christmas is all about!!!  That is the Christmas that I like to celebrate.......I know it was mostly because my parents were able to give the money that year......but we were able to SEE the result of that giving.  We were a crucial part of that.  My friends knew where the money came from and told me to thank my parents profusely......their children had a good Christmas and we all became good friends.  It was good.....it was not showy and guilt ridden.  It was a Christmas of helping and sharing.  It was beautiful. 

"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!  It came without packages, boxes or bags!"  And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!  "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.  Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"