So I got the annual "What do y'all want for Christmas?" email from mom.

[Pacifist Patriot]

Here's my response.

Hi Mom,

I know this is a subject that every year is fraught for you. I'm going to make it easy. I would be really touched if you would renew my ACLU membership this year. In the past you've asked me to make donations to the Salvation Army or the National Kidney Foundation in your name. I'd like you to know the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. I don't want anything mom. I have stuff. Too much stuff quite honestly.

I remember a few years ago when you expressed your regret over the meager Christmases you gave Susan and I when we were young. It always bothered you that you couldn't give us more. I'm as floored today by your comments as I was when you made them. Each Christmas morning was magical and that's all I remember, not the individual things you gave us. But you know what I remember more? Baking cookies with you. Driving around base looking at lights. Singing beside you at the annual performance of Handel's Messiah even when I hadn't a clue what the hell was coming out everyone's mouths. Granny's felt Santa advent calendar. I can't eat a Starlite mint without experiencing the anticipation of the advent season.

I delivered a sermon on Advent today. A bit tricky with a UU congregation, but great fun nonetheless. I related the anticipation and ritual of the Advent season with the three keys to happiness. Someone to love, something to do and something to look forward to. You taught me that. No Christmas gift could be greater.

What do I want you to give the boys this year? Stories mom. My most memorable Christmas was when Meemaw and Papa visited and told us all about the holidays when they were young. I haven't a clue what I unwrapped from them, but that Christmas stands out above all others. Give your grandsons the gift of storytelling that connects them with their heritage.

I love you!

Me

DU: I'm totally serious. If anyone asks me what I want for Christmas this year it's going to be my annual donation to Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign, the Interfaith Alliance, etc. Please remember the non-profit organizations this year. They always need our help.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

[LiberalEsto]

1. That's a really nice letter to your Mom

My kids are now in their early 20s and they love to hear the stories my husband and I tell about our childhoods, etc. And although they are politically liberal, they are quite conservative in the sense that everything becomes a tradition and they want it to be exactly the same, year after year.

Are you a UU minister or a lay leader? I'm a UU too (Germantown, MD) and I've led a number of services over the past few years.

Holiday blessings to you.

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. *chuckle* I sound like your kids.

Virtually everything becomes a tradition in my family too. My husband has a tendency towards ritual and routine so that doesn't help matters. :)

I'm a UU minister, but not contracted with a single church. This past year I've preached at six congregations, two of whom are on a regular schedule with me. I'm a contemporary itinerate minister I guess, because I also do independent weddings and memorial services on the side.

[MuseRider]

2. I must be

getting old or just feeling a little over the edge but yours is the second post tonight that has made me cry. The other was for an entirely different reason. As a mother I would love to get a letter like that some day. I hope my sons are as generous as you are someday too when they are not struggling in school. :hug: You are amazing, I know your mother is proud.

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. knr!

[Missy Vixen]

5. K&R in the holiday season

What a wonderful letter.

Let's face it, I like presents, too. At the same time, you're right. The things that make me happiest during this season is going to look at the Christmas lights in our town, baking cookies for others, seeing our friends every chance we get, and the photos of distant friends' kids in the cards we get.

>Someone to love, something to do and something to look forward to.<

I will do my best to remember this, because it's something that will make my holiday season even happier.
Julie

[A Brand New World]

6. What a wonderful letter for a mother to receive from her son.

She must be very proud of you.

[Pacifist Patriot]

7. *grin* Except I'm her daughter.

:-)

[QuestionAll...]

8. what a wonderful letter!

My family has been getting away from the conspicious consumptive idiotcy for some time. Now it's just a dinner or two or four, with people we love and exchanging guffaws and stories and hugs.

oh! the frenzy and nonsense of the past - I can't believed I somehow survived it, or got suckered into it in the first place.

[Nikki Stone1]

9. I like your idea for gifts of donations

I may borrow that from you.

[Sparkly]

10. Beautiful letter!!

(And I love the UU churches -- was employed by one for many years! :hi:)

[pstans]

11. Try Heifer International

http://www.heifer.org

People can buy (in your name) different animals, such as water buffalo, sheep, rabbits, goats, geese, honeybees, and other animals for people in 3rd World nations.

[Pacifist Patriot]

13. We've done that too!

Our children's Religious Education program buys animals through Oxfam/Heifer every year.

[Catchawave]

12. Sweet !

I just sent you a vote for your giftie :D

Magical Christmas mornings, sigh, I think mine ended when I started getting clothes, but it wouldn't be for several years later that I realized what a lucky kid I was anyhow.

Thanks for sharing :toast:

[aikoaiko]

14. Wow, nice. My response was a gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop

...so I could buy some more shooting and fishing stuff.

[sandnsea]

15. That's terrific

Beautiful letter. I bet your mom doesn't need anything else for Christmas either.

[Nicole]

16. What a nice letter.

Your mother did a good job raising you. :)

[Pawel K]

17. Thanks for posting that

[NanceGreggs]

18. A wonderful letter ...

... expressing such beautiful thoughts!

K&R!