When I was a kid, my parents loved to play the Andy Williams Christmas Album. Actually, they played all sorts of music in our home year ‘round, but that particular record probably gets the prize for the most spins on the family turntable. My favorite song on the album was “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
To this day, when I hear that track I’m transported back to those childhood Christmases with all the familiar trappings and traditions: decorating the tree; gorging on my grandmother’s plethora of pies, cookies and other treats; the anticipation of receiving presents, the Christmas specials (the Charlie Brown Christmas special was always my favorite); the holly, tinsel, mistletoe; and, of course, the music.
More than any other time of year, it was during the Christmas season when the hearth of familial love burned the brightest and felt the warmest. It all makes me think of the relatives who are no longer here, and also gives me joy at the sight of the smiles on the young ones who now follow in their footsteps.
Unfortunately, as most of us know all too well, adulthood brings with it all the aspects of the holidays that can make us cynical. The almost cruel commercialization, the expense, seeing other less fortunate people suffering with sadness and need, all of it can truly stab away at our idealistic visions of the season.
For my small part, to anyone reading this little holiday missive, I wish you only love and happiness and hope that your most idealistic vision of the season comes to pass, this year and every year, in whatever way you choose to celebrate. May you imbibe deeply in the warmth and optimism that surrounds you, and let someone else worry about all that static that gets in the way.
By the way, as I write these words, Andy Williams is singing to me through my computer speakers. My goodness, does he ever sound so good!
In so many ways, this really is, or at least should be, the most wonderful time of the year.
