'These Are the Good Old Days!

Merry Christmas Sag Harbor-These Are the Good Old Days!

‘Light-up’ was one of the biggest days of the year in Sag Harbor. Santa arrived on a fire truck and parked over by -hmm what is it now? Maybe ‘Love Shack Fancy’ or ‘Buddha Berry’? A long line waited to sit on Santa’s knee and he gave us each a little box of hard candy with a string on top. It was always well worth the wait in the cold. The community band was playing and everyone was in such a festive mood. The stores stayed open late for ‘Light Up’ and I remember going into the ‘Five and Ten’ where they had these huge peppermint sticks-nearly two inches in diameter and a foot in length. There were strings of lights draped across Main Street and a big evergreen bell that hung in the center of town.

Christmas time is here-each one precious-marking another ring on our tree of life. Although each is special and unique, they are filled with traditions that hold us together year to year. As my mom was aging, I would try to take in her presence with the realization that I wouldn’t have her forever. I would hold her hand and study her face, her wrinkles, her smile- so I’d never forget. Along with the Christmas carols I would hear the song ‘These are the good old days,’ over and over again on the playlist in my mind. These are the good old days-right here-right now. We need to remember that next year may be very different-will the table be set for the same number-will the same folks be sitting by our side or under our tree?

That realization of the here and now, of all we have in this moment, can create an atmosphere of gratitude and appreciation for our holiday. It may not be perfect, certainly not in these uncertain times, not for those experiencing loss, but in this moment, it is what we have, and in this moment ‘these are the good old days’.

I can’t imagine how hard my mom worked to provide Christmas gifts for each of the six of us. She had a little notebook with the lists and figures next to them to make sure things were kept pretty much even (of course I never saw that book until well into adulthood). There were no credit cards to shop with, very few catalogues to shop from. When all of her daily work was done, late into the evening mom would sit in the living room and say she was ‘talking to the Christmas tree.’ She too was finding a little time to let the wonder of Christmas settle in.

Our ‘Charlie Brown’ Christmas tree was sparce yet laden with tinsel. Remember the tinsel that was made from real aluminum or lead? You could scrunch it together into a ball if you liked. We each had our own special spot under the tree which never changed year to year. Our stockings were hung on the mantle with care and we couldn’t wait for Santa to arrive. Aside from some Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup I can’t remember any fancy meals on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day my grandparents would visit with peppermints and the quiet wisdom of time.

One year Santa had to make a special delivery of a pair of red rubber boots to me early because of an unexpected snow storm. I could hardly imagine that Santa would come all that way just to deliver me boots! Boy, was I amazed that he even took the time to write me a note! When I close my eyes, I can still see exactly where I found that surprising gift nearly 60 years ago!

A lifetime of Christmases have carved memories that are deep and lasting-they have created gravity for our souls that bind us to the turning of the seasons and the stories of our lives. As these days leading to Christmas seem to pass at lightning speed-let’s try our best to slow them down. Hold onto the moments, breathe in the magic and although they are not perfect, within the imperfection remember that ‘these are the good old days!

Merry Christmas Everyone! Wishing you all the joys of the season!

Nancy Remkus