As we approach the
holidays it’s time to take a little look back at old Ebenezer.
For being such a nasty sort of fellow, the
story of Scrooge along with the Ghosts who visited his humble domicile, has
certainly played a prominent part in our Holiday Celebrations. Scrooge has been
reincarnated many times over the years by a variety of actors.
Stalwart actor types such as George C. Scott,
Michael Caine, Alastair Sim and even Scrooge McDuck have all played the part of
the Festive Grouch who gets turned into “a better man than any old man in any
old town or city anywhere!”
While watching one of the many Holiday
Versions of A Christmas Carol, I got to thinking about people that continue to
stir the pot of gruel when there should be joy and peace. Sometimes, it is
unavoidable. As Bob Cratchit once remarked to Mrs. Cratchit over a flaming
Christmas pudding -“My Dear, have some Charity!”
It may be someone in line behind you at
Canadian Tire. Someone who steals your parking spot Downtown or those among us
who need to spread benevolence instead of ill-will. It's not easy getting
through the Christmas Season without a few blips on the Holiday Grid. There can
be friction in relationships- conjured up years ago, that still rots away at
our hearts a bit more every Christmas.
There are friends who continue to think the
worst of you and seem to forget the best of you and a lifetime enjoyed while
being your friend. I- of all people, understand that it's not easy to forgive-
even at this most forgiving time of year. I read a quote once from an unknown
author and I scribbled it down on a pad next to my computer. It says:
“People come into your life randomly and they
leave randomly.”
I thought it was simple- but well said. It
can be difficult to lose those who pass on to the next level of enlightenment and
leave us behind. Life sucks but it keeps moving forward. Death happens to us
all sooner or later. Saying goodbye to friends- human, canine or feline, who
have been spirited away to another dimension is just a part of life. It’s something
we can't control.
Disagreements and misunderstandings happen to
everyone. However if there is one time in the year where Goodwill prevails, it
is the Christmas Season- upon the cusp of where we now stand. If Ebenezer
Scrooge can see the light, then there's hope for us all. Love breeds hope but putting
things right is a difficult “Holiday Path” to tread.
If you do decide to mend a fence or two,
what's the very least than could happen? A brick or two might crumble in the
wall that lies between you and someone else. “Passing on” is the final brick in
the wall. There's no making amends when that final brick is mortared into
place. So be aware.
You do have to be prepared to let things go
however.
Many of us cope with that and there’s nothing
wrong with moving on. If you do attempt to make things right, sometimes no
matter how sincere an orchestrated, heartfelt apology is offered, some
situations cannot be reversed and shouldn’t be. At this point refer back to
“people leaving randomly”. You still have memories of the good times and like
the song says- “they can't take that away from me.”
As for Scrooge, at least he eventually saw
the light and from that we all can take heart and let Christmas Joy prevail.
Bless us,
Every One- in a non-religious, Humanist loving way of course.
