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Show THE WEST MOUNTAIN TIMES, DECEMBER 24, 1981, PAGE TWO Opinion and commentary Remembering childhood Christmases Probably the earliest memories most of us have of our childhood are of events surrounding Christmas. In our family, we eagerly anticipated everything that had to do with Christmas. The spirit of the season was everywhere and everything seemed right with the world. We had a contest each year to see who could spot the first Christmas tree or outdoor display of colored lights or who heard the first carol. (After Thanksgiving Day, we constantly played our favorite Christmas records on the stereo). Decorating the house and tree was a family tradition that we looked forward to. We could hardly wait to put everything in its place. Once everything was in its proper place, it was exciting to light all of the decorations every morning and evening. We anxiously ran to the mailbox each day to see if any cards had arrived. And yes, going through the list of family and friends while addressing greeting cards was a pleasant task. Why, even our yearly family excursion downtown to shop for gifts for the family was something we looked forward to. We didnt mind the crowds or the cold, wintry weather. While visiting Santa was the highlight of the trip, we also enjoyed seeing the beautiful decorations in every store, holiday music and dinner together. It was also fun to pick out special gifts for each member of the family. But as we grew, the excitement seemed to wane. It became more and more difficult to obtain the spirit that just seemed to be virtually everywhere as a child. The activities we had previously been so anxious to participate in became tedious. Shopping and addressing greeting cards became a chore. We no longer had time to spend hours listening to favorite music or reading holiday stories. Instead of feeling excitement upon seeing a Christmas tree in November, we began to complain about starting the holiday season too early. Maybe there were too many things which interfered or prevented us from doing the thing we were accustomed to doing. Maybe it was the unpleasant discovery that Christmas is so commercialized. Perhaps, in an effort to grow up, we abandoned the childlike attributes that allowed us to really enjoy Christmas because we thought they were childish. It takes longer and requires considerable effort, but fortunately we are able to complete the transformation from the miser Ebeneezer Scrooge into the reclaimed version by the time the big day arrives. While memories of Christmases past are helpful in triggering the change, the most important aspect is becoming involved in others to the point of forgetting about oneself. That is the secret of a special Christmas, making others happy. Christmas brings out best, worst Theres something about the Christmas holiday season that brings out the best and the worst in people. Its a time when the saintly appear more saintly than ever. But its also a time when real hypocrisy rears its ugly head so as to be unmistakably and clearly recognized. Of course there are few people who fit neatly into one mold or the other, which is something Ive never understoodl It would be so much more convenient when categorizing people. Remember the girl with the curl, who, when she was good, she was very, very good, but when she was bad, she was horrid? AO of us seem, to one extent or another, to nurture Dr. JekyU and Mr. Hyde personalities of some kind. For example, the same person who says Merry Christmas to you in the shopping center parking lot wiU crowd in front of you to buy Mrs. Fields cookies. The man who stopped in the restaurant to help you on with your coat will push his kiddies ahead of yours to claim Santas attention. The same charming children who tried hard to be especially good this Christmas season, which often means almost all day now, will whine incessantly, pleading to select presents for themselves rather than their brothers and sisters. Its not that I expect the spirit of Christmas to change ones very essence. But it would be nice if some of these brief transformations could last a little longer. But perhaps therein lies the magic and wonder and spirit of Christmas after all: those momentary glimpses of real Christianity. At Christmas we feel, however briefly, the kind of good will and love for our fellowman that should be displayed There is an unconditional love for family, friends, relatives, neighbors, or just anybody you bump into at the toy store. For a week, or a day, or maybe only a few hours each December, we become more than we are, charitable, more patient, more caring, more loving, more kind, more Christ-likAnd who knows? Maybe with enough time, enough years, enough practices at Christmastime, this old world will eventually begin to reflect in larger measure all the wonderful Christian values we now only talk year-roun- Roving reporter Most area residents say Inflation dampens Christmas spirit it WEST VALLEY CITY-Ma- ybe was just because they were all exhausted d. F e. about. But theres something each of us can share thats more precious than any gift and less expensive. Free in fact. Its life, life for someone who might otherwise not live to see the New Year, might not be able to spend a few, treasured extra days with loved ones. Its a pirn of blood. Giving blood is easy, almost painless, and for a lot of donors, spiritually uplifting. Most religions, including personal ones, are insistent on the idea of active living a prayer, you might worship say. Donating a pint of blood is a prayer of gratitude. Its saying, Thank you, God, that I'm so incredibly healthy that I can spare a pint of my own blood to help someone who really is in need, without any adverse affect on me or on d my pocketbook. Donating at any time of year gives the donor that deep inner satisfaction of the spirit of Christmas, plus an added wonderment at the perfectness of a body that not only functions without hitch tightly-squeeze- but also provides extra supplies. The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in our area several times over the holidays, collecting blood to care for those injured in holiday accidents. Someone you love might be one of them. Someone somebody loves certainly will be. You can provide a gift to them in advance at the following locations and times: Dec. 30: Taylorsville 3:43 to 8:30 p.m. Central Stake, Jan. 6: Kearns East Stake, 3:43 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 13: Bennion West Stake, 3:43 to 8:30 p.m. You cant donate if you've had heart or respiratory trouble, jaundice, hepatits, if you take certain drugs, or if need youre under 18 ( parental permission. Those over 65 need their doctors permission ) or under 100 pounds. If you are accepted as a donor (nearly everybody is), youll be given a very brief medical history questionnaire and an explanatory booklet about what donation means to your body, to the blood bank and to the person who from Christmas shopping, but most of the people interviewed by the IVest Mountain Times at Valley Fair Mall Friday seemed to be discouraged about the same thing lack of money. Unemployed Brian Ortega of West Valley City said, I lost my Christmas spirit I dont have enough money to get all the presents I want to.' Those who are lucky enough to have jobs arent doing all that much better. There just arent enough paydays," said Sharoa McGrath. Nearly everyone said moneys harder to get this year, and theyre buying presents and making more. One West Valley City mother described Christmas as just a lot more bills. Thats all. Give a free, priceless gift is The of Christmas spirit sharing sharing love with your friends and family, sharing food, sharing gifts, sharing prayers. Weve all heard that more times than we care to. receives it. Your blood pressure and pulse are taken, then your body temperature. Then one finger is pricked for a blood sample, to make sure you're not anemic. But the Christmas spirit seems to be alive and well for most...especialIy for those with children. All that excitement for my kids it WEST MOUNTAIN TIMES tusn joi Assistant Publisher W. GLEN FAIRCLOUGH, Pem met REGINA COATS JR. DEBRA CURRY Advertising Manager RANDY PETERSEN Publivned weekly on Thursdays, with offices at 4140 West 5415 South in k. earns, Luh Ml IS. Telephone (801) 966-444- 4. All rights reserved. Application to mail at second class postage rates is pending at Salt Lake City, Utah and additional offices. POSTMASTER send change of address to 4140 West 5415 South, Kearns, Utah Ml IB. Yearly subscriptions are SB, $10 outside Utah. Advertising deadline: 5 p.m. Monday for the following Thursday edition. For rates call (SOI ) 9664444. Send correspondence to 4140 West 5415 South. Kearns, Utah Ml IB. News Hems from clubs, churches, and other organizations are welcome. The deadline is 5 p m. Monday lor the following for freelance pay Thursday edition. Call (SOI 966-444- 4 rates. Not responsible lor unsolicited pictures ai.J news an kIcs. wanting to said Nancy Faldmu of West Valley City. To smaller kids, added Greg Chit. Some people were ebullient with Christmas spirit. I think this Christmas is wonderful, said Ralph J. New bold of Magna. Tm satisfied with everythirg. But Newbold was the exception. Nearly everyone had a complaint, too, as observed by Mary McCMaa of Rose Park. I think Christmas spirit is down. People arent as enthusiastic because they dont have the money to spend, give, she said. 1 love crowds and watching people hurrying and scurrying, but this year 1 havent noticed any of that bustle." Many people had no trouble iden- tifying what they wanted most for Christmas people. I want all my kids s, home at the same time, plus my gran-dkid- Id said McClellan. like to see some friends England that I met in the service," said Clark. from Metcalf wants a trip to Hawaii and her New Years resolution, too. Faldmo had even bigger ideas: A new ranch house, with a dining room and a large basement and a bedroom for each of my three children. New cars were the most popular dream wish, ranging from a brown thats Cutlass with a leather interior for Michael Ana Stebbius to a black Blazer for Eddie McPMe, who was even more specific than most, saying that his girlfriend Qady Maddera had to be in it. Maddera said she already had her present Eddie. Danny King of Redwood City isnt so lucky, but he wants to be. For Christmas, Id like a beautiful girl to keep for myself who'd stay by my side, he said. Ortega, Jerry Salas and Bryce Bennett all wanted girls too. Brooke, Chris, and Jan, better put bows on your heads Christmas morning! g, detached and invited to a cookies and punch table. (By the way, dont do this just for the punch. I have yet to taste donation-un- it punch that didnt taste like sugared Dixie cups.) You'll be told not to lift heavy weights with that arm for half an hour, and to drink extra fluids that day. Finished already! Youll leave with a warm glow, knowing that youve just lived a Christmas prayer, by giving a gift of life. And you'll get a wallet card in the mail with your blood type and test results in case you ever need the gift of life. What would you like for Christmas? I remember taking my children, when they were younger, to sit on the lap of the department-stor- e Santas, who always started a very one-sidconversation with that question. When 1 could overhear my childs response, I was left to wonder bow I should shore up the roof in case Santa's sleigh really did ed Your opinions matter Publisher tdiior said Arlene fluids are pumped under the skin. (Thats the painful part of shots.) Then youll be given a bar or grip to clench several times a minute. After 10 or IS minutes of bar clenching and youll be Dear Reader: JOHN RANDOLPH SENG makes it better for me, Metcalf of Kearns. Christmas spirit means (See? A free Youll be shown to a bed. The nurse will sterilize your inner elbow and attach the receptacle to you with a needle but its not like getting a shot, because no Serving West Valley, Magna, and Kearns ?z By Anne Keir This space has been reserved for you, since the letters section of a newspaper belongs to its readers. Tell us whats on your mind, and well help you tell the rest of the community. There are no restrictions on subject matter or length, only on taste. paper and Type or print neatly on standard-size- d West Mountait Times, send your letter to The Editor, 4140 West 5415 South, Kearns, Utah 84118. Included must be a telephone number for verification and a signature. Names will be withheld upon request if a reason is given. We hope that not only will the Times let you know whats going on, but that you will let each other know whats on your minds. Take advantage of the space weve provided for your thoughts. All it costs is the price of a stamp. The Editor arrive with all that was listed; Santa was left to hope his reindeer were in shape to handle the load. Now, thankfully, the question is asked at home and answered more reasonably. Still, my mind, like my childrens used to, clouds with the possibilities each Christmas brings. Reality never stopped my children from telling Santa what they really wanted; right now, I dont see why it should stop me from listing the things that often become only dreams in the face of harsh reality. One thing Id really like for Christmas a fiscally responsible Congress. I'd like to see all Congressional leaders use the same spending habits that limit their Christmas shopping most of them buy only what they can afford in then daily work. Id like to see expenditures tied to revenues and programs tied more closely to needs. is As part of that fiscal responsibility. like to see our government stop doing things it doesnt need to do. Too many regulations and too much paperwork can break the backs of the small businesses that are the lifeblood of Americas economic system, and a continuous flow of federal funds to unsuccessful or programs or agencies drains the government of resources that could be better used. Id With those two presents, I believe, would come a third: increased among Americas people. With less interference from government agenincencies and no tives for idleness, Americans could return to the ingenuity and resourcefulness that made our country the ce federally-subsidize- d greatest economic and industrial in the world. power My next request would result from the previous three: a vibrant economy, the result of a revitalized private sector, that would offer meaningful, productive jobs to everyone, including minorities and youth. Pride and satisfaction and the other rewards of good jobs could then be shared by all. These four gifts are the aim of Reagan's economic recovery program, and I could have no greater wish than for its sticcess in meeting these President goals. 1 would add a more effective criminal justice system to my list of Christmas wishes, a gift that would allow us to feel confident about the security of our homes and families. I'd ask for a swift but fair court system that could efficiently prevent, or mitigate, crimes ranging from white-collembezzlement to the violent and senseless acts tht plague us. ar I'd ask for a solvent Social Security system that represented and upheld a firm contract between Unde Sam and his pensioners. Id like to have no worries about its future, its solvency, or its administration. Im w most Utahns, and most would join me in wishing for. and working for, gifts like these to unwrap on Christmas morning. The progress we've made in the past year in turning them from wishes to reality demonstrates the possibility of their Americans, fulfillment. Thats why I wanted to list my Christmas wishes this yean so I f more easily turn them into New Years resolutions. |
