Seven Days of Christmas Songs: Days 4 & 5

Christmas is full of tradition.

There’s family.

There’s presents.

Children.

Santa.

Holiday parties.

Snow.

These things are synonymous with Christmas. Every year, these are the things we think about during the last week of December. 2006 is no different. That is, of course, if you live anywhere else but Toronto, Ontario.

Rain! Fucking rain has been pouring on us for two days now. Ugly grey clouds and, at best, a light mist. We’ve been soaking wet since yesterday, and it does not look like it’s going to let up.

I have never, in all my 28 Christmases, had to live through a grey Christmas. Its supposed to be white. Walking through a white, fluffy blanket of snow-cover with all your bags and treasures in tow. In all truth, every Christmas day in memory has had snowfall. I can’t think of a time when I opened presents without looking out to individual snowflakes falling onto the window pane.

This rain is really getting me down and the weather forecast is not helping. There is tell that there may be snow on Monday night, but until then it is just gonna piss rain. And I don’t even believe that there will be snow. I think that the weather channel just lies to us and tells us such things so that we don’t jump off the viaduct.

And so I offer you this song. This song is covering two days, because there has been two days of stupid rain. You all know the words; if you are here in southern Ontario, please sing along. If you are elsewhere, please pray that we get a little bit of white goodness. (note that I have written my own alternate lyrics… poor rhyming aside… that are in brackets)

White Christmas

The sun is shining, the grass is green
The orange and palm trees sway
(The birch and willow trees sway)
There's never been such a day
In Beverly Hills, LA
(In Our Lovely G.T.A.)
But it's December the 24th
And I'm longing to be up north

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know.
Where the treetops glisten,
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write.
May your days be merry and bright.
And may all your Christmases be white.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write.
May your days be merry and bright.
And may all your Christmases be white.

(Lyrics by Irving Berlin 1942)

Seven Days of Christmas Songs: Day 3

I really enjoy gifts. I really enjoy opening them on Christmas morning and receiving them from friends and clients throughout the entire holiday season. More so, I enjoy giving them. My group of friends and I don’t exchange gifts, but rather, contribute every year to a charity… but I still bought them gifts (I really REALLY enjoy giving gifts, and have a lot of fun doing it. Christmas is… should be… about giving not receiving).

My family traditions have always been about giving rather than receiving. We never made lists, as any gift was a gift. Asking for something was unheard of, as we appreciated the thought behind any present, no matter what is was. That being said, I do have a favorite…

A few years ago, I opened a card from The Philanthropist and in it was a note saying that he had donated money on my behalf to the local YWCA, so they could share it among all their programs. This was in the height of my materialistic, asshole self but I was so touched and moved that someone was putting others before the materialism, commercialism that has become of this holiday.

Christmas is about giving; it always has been. Please remember that when doing your gifts and stockings this week (almost every grocery store sells their $2 donation slips that fit nicely into a card or stocking). Your friends and family love receiving gifts, and these small donations are the perfect accessory to their new purse or book.

I have heard this song over and over again over the past 20 years, and every time it gives me reason to take pause. From the time I was a small child to today, no matter how bad a person I was, this song has always reminded me of the true meaning of giving, and helped to open my eyes to the world outside “your window”.

I hope you read the lyrics to this song and think about the true meaning of giving. And “Tonight thank God it’s them, instead of you.”

Do they know it's Christmas?

It's Christmastime,

there's no need to be afraid

At Christmastime,

we let in light and we banish shade

And in our world of plenty

we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world

at Christmastime

But say a prayer, pray for the other ones
At Christmastime it's hard,

but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window,
and it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing
is the bitter sting of tears

And the Christmas bells that ring there
are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them
instead of you

And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?

Here's to you raise a glass for everyone
Here's to them underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?

Feed the world

Feed the world

Feed the world

Let them know it's Christmastime again

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmastime again.

(Lyrics by: Midge Ure and Bob Geldof)

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Special thanks to The Halfaneese for buying The Boyfriend & I a goat that was sent to a needy village this year. Thanks also to the great clients and friends who have donated to causes and charities in my honor. It truly is an honor, and the pleasure is all mine.

Seven Days of Christmas Songs: Day 2

Christmas being just a few days away, I find myself nostalgic for the traditions of my family. We don’t really do anything overly special, but it feels nice just to be around them.

Christmas Eve would find us at Moms house; my siblings and I and my best friend and Godchildren. Eventually it included my nephews and soon it will include my niece.

Christmas day is a very relaxed day hanging out. I host brunch at my place. Over to Moms for dinner and family time, then down to Mom & Dad #2’s place for drinks with the boys. Not this year.

This will be my third Christmas away from home and I would like to say it gets easier each year, but no. I miss you guys. I love you. Trust that I AM there ‘in my dreams’.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

I'm dreaming tonight

Of a place I love
Even more than I usually do.
And although I know
It's a long road back
I promise you...

I'll be home for Christmas.
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree.

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams.
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.

(Lyrics by Kim Gannon & Walter Kent)

Seven Days of Christmas Songs: Day 1

Here is a series of my favorite Christmas songs. I hope you enjoy the lyrics and, if you've not already, listen to the songs.

My Grown-up Christmas List

Do you remember me?

I sat upon your knee

I wrote to you with childhood fantasies

Well I'm all grown up now

Can you still help somehow?

I'm not a child but my heart still can dream

So here's my lifeful wish

My grown up Christmas List

Not for myself

But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart

That wars will never start

And time will heal our hearts

Every man will have a friend

That right will always win

And love will never end

This is my grown up Christmas List

May kindness rules our lives

Not just the strong survive

Sweet tears for all the thousand years on mind

This is the world I pray

We will all share some way

Help me begin by reaching out my hand

No more lives torn apart

That wars will never start

And time will heal our hearts

Every man will have a friend

That right will always win

And love will never end

This is my grown up Christmas List

Why does this illusion call the innocence of you?

Maybe when the time believe we can find the truth

No... No more lives torn apart

That wars will never start

And time will heal our hearts

Every man will have a friend

That right will always win

And love will never end

This is my grown up Christmas List

This is the prayer that I will keep

This is my grown up Christmas list Christmas list
(Lyrics by Linda Thompson Foster)

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This is one of my favorite Christmas Songs, and it means more to me every year. For my money, the best version is from Monica, but to be truthful, I've not (yet) heard it done poorly.

A Christmas Laugh

When you are standing in the long lines at department stores and rushing from this party to that in December traffic, just think of these and have a good laugh.

An Email from ChristiniMartini...

This is something my mom sent me, and although I usually don't read or pass on forwards, I think it has something important to say and we should all take it to heart...Oh my god, I am such a dork! Anyways, read it! :-P
Love,
Christini
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As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heartbroken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.

You'll fight with your best friend.

You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.

You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

~anonymous~

Thanks Christini. I really needed that.

Heading Out Tonight!

The Philanthropist and I are heading out tonight to see an interesting documentary. Anyone interested in joining us?

Here’s a blurb about the film and the event…
“Ancient Tibetan Buddhists realized that balance and harmony within our bodies is the key to our health and healing. This intriguing show combines lecture with performance for an insightful look at Buddhism. The lecture by the Head Lama presents the fundamental connection between our bodies and minds and introduces ancient approaches to healing. Robed in magnificent costumes and playing traditional Tibetan instruments, the Loseling monks perform ancient temple music and dance for personal and world healing.”

There’s a lecture by one of the Buddhist Monks a chance to win a trip for 2 to TIBET!

Things Are Changing.

Grey’s Anatomy is over. There was no Desperate Housewives. The Sunday visit ended with goodbye’s. And now we are home. I put The Boyfriend to bed and scratched his back and scalp until he went to sleep. “I love you.” “Love you too.” And then I sat at the computer.

Things are changing. After a few emails, I decided to go outside for a cigarette (shut up, I don’t want to hear it). The snow had fallen, and now Lower Etobicoke is covered in a white dew. The wind is slowing down after a few days of gusts and the clouds are subsiding. The moon is out and the stars are shining.

Things are changing. Living downtown, I never saw stars. These past few weeks, they run across the sky playing tag with each other. They still don’t compare to the stars in the northern sky, but they are there. The air is crisp. Everything is white. The moon reflects off the snow in the park below and, for the first time (at night), I can actually see the entire willow tree that is as tall as my entire building. It’s beautiful. Everything from my balcony is absolutely beautiful.

Things are changing. Trees are left leafless and the birds have left. Still, I can’t get over the snow. I lived with so much of it for 21 years and now I have become accustomed to the lack of it. The snow falls, and I can’t stop staring. It’s light, but it’s everywhere.

Things are changing. They are changing beyond my control. There are things that are totally out of our hands… What will happen to George’s father? When will the first snowball fight be? What will we find under our trees in three weeks?

Things are changing. But sometimes we have control. Sometimes we have to take control. Procrastination is usually based on fear, but it’s time to be unafraid. It’s time to throw caution to the wind and take the bull by the horns. It’s time to (insert your preferred cliché here). Things are changing.

I will be making three changes soon. Some may seem small, but to me they are huge. There are huge life changes and huge personal growths. Things are changing and I am scared shitless, but I have to do it. Give me your hand and let me squeeze it.

Things are changing. Because, “For things to change, first I must change!”