“All I need is a reindeer..”
The Grinch looked around.
But since reindeer are scarce, there was none to be found.
Did that stop the old Grinch…?
No! The Grinch simply said,
“If I can’t find a reindeer, I’ll make one instead!”
-Dr. Seuss
Last night, after mixing up a batch of ginger bread cookies with the boy, I read them my all time favorite story: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
This book was my favorite part of celebrating Christmas, when I was little. Oh, I loved getting out the nativity set, and decorating the tree…but it was all just leading up to reading my favorite book. This copy, that you see here, was given to my by my grandma, for my first Christmas. Inside the front cover, it says, “Crystal- We have always enjoyed this story every Christmas. Love, Grandmother Dee”. When we finished reading, I looked up ‘Your a Mean One, Mr. Grinch’, for the children to watch. It contains, undoubtedly, the best set of insults I have ever heard!
In my teen years, I was often accused of being a Grinch… I don’t think it had anything to do with my heart being too small. I think it was the knowledge that “Christmas doesn’t come from a store.” Christmas does means a whole lot more. I wanted to celebrate something besides an extravagance. I wanted to give from the heart, not out of obligation. I wanted to give things that would make a difference in peoples lives. I didn’t overcome my dislike of the holiday season, until I met Sheila.
We were standing in line for a Christmas potluck, when she told me that their family had decided to get slaves for Christmas. That caught my attention! I thought slavery was illegal in this country! So (probably giving her a very strange look), I stuttered, “WHat???”
She explained that her oldest daughter had found out about the slavery that takes place in some African nations, and an organization that collected donations to buy slaves, in order to set them free. Their family had decided to put their entire Christmas Budget to setting slave free!
Something about her story, and the way they enjoyed Christmas as a family, brought back the joy I had experienced as a child, and made me want to give ‘Christmas’ my all, so my family too, could enjoy this wonderful season.
