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The feelings of Christmas.
11 years ago
General
The feelings of Christmas.
This time of year mixes emotions for me.
Ones of good, warm feelings, ones of chilled despondency and frustration.
On one paw, I have years of retail and service industry work behind me. I spent a year working for Target once, ONCE; some of which crossed Christmas. That season nearly destroyed the ‘Christmas Spirit’ as it is coined for me. Customers (guests) were abusive, condescending, rude, destructive, combative and a host of other ill-mannered words. In fact, in this season of good cheer and good will toward all I’ve not seen as much as one might think would be due. Add to that a good streak of cynicism this time of year seems downright bleak at times..
This is not to say there aren’t those about me who counteract theses things, without whom my mind would suffer. The caring of those lift me.
On the other paw I have bountiful, copious memories of the season when I was younger. The blowing snow, the cold, the scent of snow (yes there’s a smell to snow!), salt, cold car exhaust, red C9 Christmas tree lights - hot enough to give you burns. The live tree, shovelling, my awesome runner sled "Inlé II" AND the music, Andre Kostelanetz and The Ray Conniff Singers playing on the 1960’s era Coronado console stereo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0_YmqQQOow
The smell of wood smoke, candles, cookies. When these memories come to mind I can BEARly (heh) keep my composure and my eyes well up with tears.
One of these days I’m hoping Christmas will be more like those good memories, and they won’t seem so distant.
This time of year mixes emotions for me.
Ones of good, warm feelings, ones of chilled despondency and frustration.
On one paw, I have years of retail and service industry work behind me. I spent a year working for Target once, ONCE; some of which crossed Christmas. That season nearly destroyed the ‘Christmas Spirit’ as it is coined for me. Customers (guests) were abusive, condescending, rude, destructive, combative and a host of other ill-mannered words. In fact, in this season of good cheer and good will toward all I’ve not seen as much as one might think would be due. Add to that a good streak of cynicism this time of year seems downright bleak at times..
This is not to say there aren’t those about me who counteract theses things, without whom my mind would suffer. The caring of those lift me.
On the other paw I have bountiful, copious memories of the season when I was younger. The blowing snow, the cold, the scent of snow (yes there’s a smell to snow!), salt, cold car exhaust, red C9 Christmas tree lights - hot enough to give you burns. The live tree, shovelling, my awesome runner sled "Inlé II" AND the music, Andre Kostelanetz and The Ray Conniff Singers playing on the 1960’s era Coronado console stereo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0_YmqQQOow
The smell of wood smoke, candles, cookies. When these memories come to mind I can BEARly (heh) keep my composure and my eyes well up with tears.
One of these days I’m hoping Christmas will be more like those good memories, and they won’t seem so distant.
Suffice to say I am SO happy to not be in that situation anymore. I completely understand, because for the longest time, working retail completely killed my sense of the holiday spirit as well. But I too have very fond childhood memories from that time, and I have finally rekindled my love for the season.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and an awesome New Year as well. :3