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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

The Wishing Season.

It was the day before Christmas and all
through the stores, no one was more frustrated
than the one not wishing to shop at all.
Not that I didn't want to.
Not that I didn't have occasions to.
No, my frustration was with the whole idea of coming up with a gift to dazzle all other gifts.
Not one thing seemed to fill the bill.
What to do? How to deal with
a desire that can never be fulfilled.
How to play Santa when I know that my people's dreams include
a world cruise
and a car that drives itself
while a  clean-sparkling house and a massage are more what they deserve?
I'm just a child
right now, going between wanting something so badly that only Santa could deliver
and having to be the very Santa who's too old and too practical to keep wishing real.

No, not the books at Barnes and Nobles.
Or the warm pajamas at Macy's.
Or anything and another presented at the Malls of America
Or at the local drugstores.

What I need is an evening back in the old country, a roaring fire in the chimney, snow on the roof top, and the family at the table making the traditional sweet ravioli that would be filled with mashed chestnuts and shaved chocolate, then fried, in a big cauldron, through the night, as we all, young and old, waited for the midnight mass. I would be carried as a sleepy angel baby through muddy and dark streets until we reached the Church.
Then, magically, I'd play my part with other children at the living nativity scene through the Mass and afterwords, through carol singing. After which, back in Father's arms and back home to eat a fried pastry now cool enough to enjoy.

I do hope somewhere in the world these scenes are still played.

I do hope that children everywhere feel the magic of this night in the way they are loved, in the way they are part of the bigger world that treasures them, and keeps peace on earth for all mankind.

May your wishes be of warmth and peace and family.

16 comments:

Brian Miller said...

ah i wish you that peaceful night back in the old country..ha....that would make for a great christmas present...

though i do like my books...smiles.

and i hope it is full of those that you love...

merry christmas

Linda Myers said...

Oh, yes, the children. May they be filled with wonder.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Lovely post, Rosaria. Wouldn't it be wonderful, just for tonight, to travel back in time to a Christmas past but warmly remembered? Well, I guess we can...as you just gave us a glimpse of Christmas in the old country and the wonder of being a child in this season, at that time.

#1Nana said...

I wish you a very happy Christmas. Ours is a quiet one this year. No gifts as we want for nothing. No small children this year either. We will FaceTime the grands for a dose of excitement, but I will be satisfied with a warm quiet home.

the walking man said...

My wishes are nil and of no consequence compared to what you wished for the Earth's children, may that ring throughout the lands, both troubled and at ease. Have a wonderful day Rosaria.

yaya said...

You carried me to your childhood and let me into a lovely memory. I think as long as we have those sweet memories in our hearts, than all our wishes can come true. I hope your day is blessed with love and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!

ellen abbott said...

Lovely memory Rosaria.

rjerdee said...

beautiful post...love the description of your childhood. Merry Christmas, Rosaria!

troutbirder said...

Well said Rosaria. For us with the family far away it gets harder and harder...

Sally Wessely said...

You got me with this one. I could relate to the first part of the poem all too well. Then, the turning point came and suddenly, my eyes were full of tears. I cried for you and your memory. I cried for my own memories of Christmas past when I was a child. I cried for those children never to know of the love and devotion that you must have known as a child. I cried because this poem is beautiful. You have blessed your readers with this post.

Oh that the second paragraph could be so.

Blessings to you during this time of year.

Hilary said...

Beautiful thoughts and feelings. I hope that you and yours have a lovely new years.

Rian said...

Your post reminds me of an old poem I once loved, "Backward, turn backward, O time in your flight
Make me a child again just for tonight!" I will try to find it and post it on my blog.

And I too remember the *magic* of Christmas and the feel of being loved... as all children should.

kj said...

our memories: maybe they're the gift that keeps on giving.

i am awash with looking back because my Mother died this month. in some odd way, i had finished my holiday shopping in a way that gave me pleasure. i love the giving part of christmas; not always a concrete 'present' but some gift i try to offer in some way.

we are still every age we've ever been.

the older i get, the more i think this is very true.

happiest of new years', rosaria xoxo

love
kj

Hilary said...

Happy New Year to you, Rosaria.

Amanda Summer said...

Rosaria, This brings me back to your superb blog about your childhood, which brought me to meet you in the first place. The image of the fried pastry and the cold walk to Midnight Mass is stunning. I hope you will share more of your memoirs - there's such magic in your words.

xoxo
Amanda

Rosaria Williams said...

Thanks, everyone. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.