Christmas day, a most curious one so still and gently peaceful. Only two human beings in the house and one of them asleep. Being from a big family, I can't remember a time when there wasn't a crowd for Christmas. Later our children filled the house, and by the time the two older boys were away in service we had grandchildren to swell the party.
But this year! The plan had been for all of us to go to the second son's new home and help little Karen celebrate her first Christmas. Snow upon snow practically immobilized traffic for a week beforehand, and Christmas eve added eight more inches, but that wouldn't have daunted us. The trouble was that our Dad had flu and a distressing cough, and was not fit to travel or to be in a crowd. So at our urging the young folks went on as planned -- the oldest son, his wife and three boys and Joe the soldier-boy home on a week's leave.
Grandfather, not caring for the arduous seventy-five mile trip with the chance of being holed in somewhere indefinitely by road conditions, preferred a ten-mile trip to be with his daughter's family and celebrate with his latest great grandchild (our grand-niece), just three weeks old. That left just Jim and me at home. The traditional feast was modified to be appropriate for an invalid and served early so he could go to rest. So here I am alone.
Alone, but not lonely, for there are all the gifts and cards and letters to enjoy. It seemed that this year more people than common included personal notes with their greetings, many of them long heart-warming letters. Much as every one appreciates them, in all the Christmas rush there is seldom time to answer promptly. But for once here are several quiet hours on the holy day itself, when the mood is right and the heart is warm. It seems that ideas flow more freely and words fall into place more gently, "so hallowed and so gracious is the time."
Among the letters here must be a word or two to all you readers who have made the years so rich for me. It would be hard to find words abundant and tender enough to express all my appreciation and affection for you. Hundreds of letters, day after day, revealing so many admirable personalities, give a lift to life that no one can imagine who hasn't had the privilege of receiving such a wealth of mail. Truly, you are a goodly company. In the printed word the rest of you get just a semblance, though it is amazing how much personality comes through -- but to see all the handwritings besides is a superb experience. Every word you write finds a receptive reader here. Thank you all! Come often and refresh our hearts.
It is nearly dusk now. Even the snow can't reflect enough light for me to write much longer, yet it would be a sacrilege to turn on the lights at this witching hour. Before long the children will be home again, but meanwhile let's rest quietly in the glow of the fire, in the soft glitter of the ornaments on the Christmas tree and their reflections on the white Madonna on the mantel, in the invisible glow of memory and friendship.
By the time you read this the old year will have gone into history and the new year will have begun it's cycle, but perhaps it will still not be too late for this message to you all:
God bless thy year --
Thy coming in, thy going out,
Thy rest, thy traveling about,
The rough, the smooth,
The bright, the drear --
God bless thy year.-- Hope.
Memory Gem
Whatever else be lost amid the years,
Let us keep Christmas--its meaning never ends.
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close this day, remembering friends.Thy own wish wish we Thee in every place,
The Christmas joy, the song, the cheer,
Thine be the light of love in every face
That looks on Thee, to bless Thy coming year.