Christmas tree not place for political mudslinging

Gerry Niskern

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Soon the scent of fresh pine trees will join the aroma of cookies baking and simmering fudge. In recent years something more has been added to the menu as families and friends gather at the holidays to celebrate our blessings. The new item around the table is political rhetoric. There is always someone at social gatherings who cannot stay off politics. Tongues dripping with venom, they refer to “liberals” or “neo-conservatives,” depending on their take on current events. They’re fond of attaching labels on anyone who has a different opinion. The problem is, they usually only know one side, their side. Whatever political party their daddy or granddaddy belonged to, that’s their party. There’s a time and a place for political debates, but it is not family gatherings. There is one fact we all need to consider. We are heading into an election year that promises to be bruising. Although we are free to observe our special day any way we choose, I think we all agree we also want our children to remember the happy holiday times. Friends and family are the glue that holds our country together. The holiday traditions are the fiber and backbone of our nation. We all know that there are many talking heads on radio and television who are only concerned about their own agenda. What will they care, when the election is over, that old friends and family members are no longer speaking? There is a lot of discussion about civility these days. Each political party thinks the other should be more civil. Actually, with understanding, comes civility. And to understand, you must be informed; informed on all sides of every issue. Isn’t it great that in this country we are free to read the paper, not just your favorite, but any world paper? We are amazed at the different take on world situations, depending on the city or country. Online editions are available. We’re free to read a weekly newsmagazine that presents both sides of issues. Do yourself a favor. Don’t make the mistake of getting your opinion from one source. Learn to really listen to other opinions. Listening is a sign of respect. Listen for information, not ammunition to fling at friends. Every American needs a worldview because we live in an integrated world. How often have you heard someone remark, “I didn’t really know the layout of the Middle East until the war in Iraq?” It’s true that we don’t study geography extensively in our schools, but it’s not too late. If you have children or grandchildren, help them to open their eyes to the other countries and religions of our world. Lead by example. Read with them the origins of the Arabs and Jews, along with other ethnic groups. Discuss the differences and similarities. Encourage them to form their own opinions. Citizens of other countries know about our freedoms and about our holidays, too. They know that we can choose, you, me and everyone across this country, to gather family and friends and observe the day. They know that people have died for our unity and free speech. But, what exactly needs said? Plenty. Can it wait until after a holiday? You bet. What do you say? Shall we all get together on Christmas and not talk politics? Works for me.

“The Best Gift Ever”

By

Gerry Niskern

Do you try to find the best gift ever for someone on your Christmas list? I do.

I can only get excited about Christmas after I start thinking of something as a really special surprise for at least one person. I can’t do it for everyone, but one’s enough to give me the Christmas spirit.

I get into the spirit of the season remembering some other special gifting. My earliest memory was of a tiny ladies lapel pin. It was a glowing lantern with some holly. I wrapped it in an empty Oxydol box to fool my mom. I saved all year for that special gift that cost 25 cents.

My resident historian was quite a harmonica player as a teen. I saved baby sitting money for months to buy him a large Hohner chromatic harmonica. I was serenaded many evenings for my efforts.

Back in the 50’s after the Russians had launched Sputnik, rockets were all kids in the U. S. could talk about. I found magazine ad for a heavy cardboard put-together-yourself rocket ship. Our kids were the envy of the block. They stood in line to blast off in our rocket ship.

During the “Maverick” years I scoured Phoenix and found 4 matching cowboy hats for our two boys and their two male cousins. Not just any cowboy hat. When you whipped it off your head a secret cowboy pistol popped out, pointed straight at the “outlaw of the day.”

I remember sewing and smocking two matching dresses for my daughter and her little cousin. If you have ever smocked, you know it was truly a gift of love. Another time, in the sixties, I found a six year old niece a “low rise skirt and Poor Boy top” and she exclaimed, “Oh, a Beatles dress!”

Of course, I’ve received my share of special gifts, but the one I loved the most was during the “baby” years of the 50’s. My resident historian brought home a portable dishwasher. It was like being given a maid for Christmas!

Have you found the best gift ever yet?

“A Bookish Christmas”

By

Gerry Niskern

It’s December shopping time again. So come on, all you avid readers out there. We know who you are. We’re the ones who give books for Christmas.  We’re part of a shrinking society and we have to stick together to stem the overwhelming tide of modern technology.

We’ve all heard the old saying, “Christmas is for children”. The kids tell Santa their Yuletide wishes and settle back knowing that at least some of the objects of their desires will appear on Christmas morning.

Here’s an idea.  Let someone else buy the electronic games for the children. We’ll keep reminding them that there’s nothing better than the physical presence of a book. The feel of slick new pages, the rich smell of the cover, and the limitless possibilities for their imagination to unfold.

I started out to do my Christmas shopping one morning last week. The next thing I knew, I was in a bookstore. It couldn’t hurt to browse a little, right?  Then I would go onto the other stores. Then, I saw a display of one of the latest biographies published. Perfect for my daughter. I’ll concede she looks like her dad’s side of the family, but I’m delighted that she shares my joy in reading. She sat on my lap around eight months of age and identified all the B words in her first little book. There’s nothing more gratifying than holding a toddler on your lap and introducing her to one of your favorite childhood books; reading the words and watching a chubby hand move over the pictures in wonder.

The family stills laughs about how that grandson used to sit up in his crib at night, when the electric heater came on and cast a glow across his room. You could hear the pages of his little books rustling as he read furiously until the heater cycled off again.

When it comes to books and kids, we had a “Babar” son. It seemed like he read nothing else for years. Hmm….I wonder if the littlest one in the family would like a Babar book. They’re back, you know.

Son-in-law can always use another fishing book and a volume of poems for the poet in the family. . The history buffs in the family will enjoy the updated and expanded edition of Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time and the teens anything by John Green, popular young adults author of The Fault is in the Stars.

Not too many centuries ago books were rare and valuable? Paper was unheard of in many parts of the world and countless people lived their whole lives without touching or even seeing a book.

When the family gathers this year, I’m sure it will be a typical electronic Christmas. There will be new video and computer games, all kinds of intriguing new gadgets and of course, lot’s of new cell phones. I know I’m fighting an uphill battle, but I’m giving books. Traditions are what we make and I’m continuing an old one.

Maybe Christmas could be a reminder that nothing thrills like unwrapping a brand new book. Running you hand over the rich binding, smelling the new pages and settling down to be transported to worlds only you will know is a delight.  The images you see, are not flashed on a screen, but are your very own.