{"id":24297,"date":"2010-12-23T14:45:12","date_gmt":"2010-12-23T21:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=24297"},"modified":"2010-12-23T14:45:19","modified_gmt":"2010-12-23T21:45:19","slug":"the-real-christmas-of-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2010\/12\/the-real-christmas-of-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"The real Christmas of meaning"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Michael Swickard<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI grew up with the classics. My mom and I would sit and watch ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and ‘White Christmas’ – those kind of movies.\u201d Lucas Grabeel<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

While I am much older than Lucas Grabeel, I too grew up with \u201cclassics\u201d such as, \u201cWhite Christmas\u201d and had those classic moments like singing loudly in public school, \u201cWe wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.\u201d We even meant it back then when we sang, \u201cYou\u2019d better watch out, you\u2019d better not cry, you\u2019d better not pout I\u2019m telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

My Christmas seasons have always been inclusionary. Anyone wanting to celebrate Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All was just fine with me.<\/p>\n

The whole American Christmas, legal holiday, good cheer on our lips does make some people angry and resentful. Me, I am calling it Christmas until Congress votes to change the name to something else. I do have to confess that the holiday season is a reason all its own and is a bonus to all I have experienced over the years from one Christmas to another with my loved ones.<\/p>\n

The Christmas I remember best<\/h3>\n

My sister asked last week which Christmas I remember best. They all blur together, with many that have meaning for me. I remember best the \u201cOh Susanna Guitar\u201d Christmas, which would have been more appropriate now with our newly elected governor than it was back in the 1950s.<\/p>\n

I had lobbied Santa and everyone else who would listen desperately for a drum set. My mother agreed that Santa might bring a drum set as long as it was delivered after her death and while she lay in the doorway – which was mom-speak for \u201cOver my dead body.\u201d<\/p>\n

When I tore the wrapping paper off I could not believe my eyes. The tag said it was from my Uncle Gene. As I opened the box and pulled out the guitar, my mother, father and I all said at the same time, \u201cOh my God!\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t a real guitar; rather, it had a crank that, when turned, played \u201cOh Susanna.\u201d I turned the crank and the song was a hit. Uncle Gene had a big smile, even when my mother, while bringing him a cup of coffee, accidentally poured it on him.<\/p>\n

I played the song again while they cleaned up the coffee. It was an easy song to play, so I decided to sing along and even added some yodeling and a few high pitch yips and yaps here and there. I was Johnny One Song all Christmas Day. Upon reflection, I do remember that my parents looked a little frayed by the end of the day.<\/p>\n

Then it was time to brush my teeth, say my prayers and go to bed. I played the song one last time for my mother and added some great yodels. What a great Christmas!<\/p>\n

Part of the holiday lore<\/h3>\n
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