Christmas is an occasion to spend time with family and friends, spreading good cheer and sharing great food in a cozy, comfortable setting. It’s a time for a renewed sense of spirituality for many. After all, the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, the holidays are not all merry and bright for everyone. Many experience sadness during the holidays because a loved one is no longer with them.
For others, financial struggles play a role as many find themselves unable to provide as much as they wished they could for the families. Many it seems are finding it harder and harder to simply make ends meet. Do they buy groceries to fill the fridge? Do they go to the doctor to get that nagging cough checked out? Or do they fill the oil tank?
Now more than ever, groups such as the Salvation Army, or local churches need to be appreciated and recognized for the good work they do in the community. Without them, many a child would go without a toy on Christmas and families would be left without, unable to have a holiday feast or fuel to heat their homes.
When you walk by that person ringing a bell for the Salvation Army, trying not to make eye contact because you do not want the pressure of putting money it their red kettle, take a moment to reflect on those less fortunate than yourself. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but every single dollar helps.
Coming home for the holidays is the pinnacle of the year for many who have moved away. And there really is no better place to come home to than Houlton (or any of the other surrounding communities in southern Aroostook County for that matter.)
For those who have moved away, much remains the same here in Houlton. Walking around downtown in the morning, the amazing smells of freshly baked doughnuts at Sadie’s Bakery still waft through the air. Movies at the Temple Cinemas bring back many fond memories from your youth — and yes, the Christmas music can be heard from speakers atop the Temple marquee to provide an extra bit of holiday pep to your step.
Although our children are getting older, there is still a little bit of holiday magic to be found in our household. Our 11-year-old is still anxiously counting down the days until Christmas and has even placed a dry-erase board outside her bedroom so she can keep track of how many days are left.
Holiday traditions of baking and decorating Christmas cookies, making gingerbread houses with their grandmother and sipping hot cocoa while watching holiday classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and the Muppets Christmas Carol are still alive and well.
Growing up, finding that right time to wake up on Christmas morning was always a challenge. Some years, our parents would let us come downstairs while it was still dark outside, but most years, my brother and I were sent back upstairs to our rooms, so our parents could sleep an extra hour or two.
Sometimes, we would sneak down and snatch our stockings, hoping upon hope that there was some cool toy inside them. More often than not, though, the stockings were filled with apples, oranges and toothbrushes. Occasionally there would be a neat Hot Wheels car stuffed inside, which would have to suffice until we were given the OK to come downstairs.
Now that I am the parent, I appreciate Christmas morning on an entirely different level. It’s no longer about receiving presents as it is watching the faces of our children light up when they come down the stairs. If that means operating on four hours of sleep, so be it. I’m sure it is only a matter of time before my wife and I will have to holler up the stairs to wake our children on Christmas morning. So for now, I will gladly take the early morning chaos … and coffee.
I hope that you all can take a moment this holiday to pause and reflect on those things that are important in your lives. The staff of the Houlton Pioneer Times wishes all of our readers a very Merry Christmas. Our offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 25, and re-open on Tuesday, Dec. 26.
Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. He can be reached at jcyr@bangordailynews.com or 532-2281.
