Fwd: A few friends under the Christmas tree

[Guest guest]

A friend of mine, Mari Dart-Carlin, wrote this and I thought it would it

would be nice to share. Mari is the daughter of Dart -- those of

you who are disability advocates will know who he is. HAPPY HOLIDAYS and

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

~ ~

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Christmas 2000

I put some old friends under my Christmas tree today. Last year, they

lay themselves down under the lights and tower of ornaments for their annual

Christmas meditation. Now there are two silver boxes under my tree with no

ribbons to brighten their tops, no gift tags attached, nothing particularly

remarkable about them - except what they have left in my heart.

When they first came to live with me they were so small - delicate and

fragile they were practically a miracle of nature. Round and wobbly on their

feet, they confidently set about life. I marveled at their lack of fear as

they scrambled to the top of a mountain of spiraling stairs, and their

unending joy as they tumbled back to down in a happy heap. Even when they

were tiny, they took time to meditate, sleep when they needed and spent every

waking moment curious about their world.

Their first Christmas was nearly a disaster. The sight of an evergreen

tree standing alone in the house was all the invitation they needed to

explore new heights. It wasn't long before they had charted every branch

within their reach and were pondering those above… But a stern word from me

kept them within their means.

One string of tiny light spots went, laboriously, onto the tree. Then

another and another and still more, until I had exhausted my ample supply of

lights. Finally, sticky fingered, and smelling of pine pitch, I stepped

back. The magic had begun, the evergreen was turning into a Christmas tree.

I was pleased.

Two pair of bright blue eyes watched with amazement as I began to

decorate the tree with brightly colored ornaments. Things, certainly, from

some enchanted Never Never Land. Shinny red balls that looked like they'd

bounce to the moon! Birds and butterflies that wouldn't fly away when you

came near. Clear soap bubbles that didn't pop when you touched them. Oh,

toy box dreams appeared on that tree! Tin soldiers, soft dolls, a zoo of

small animals, angels and elves.

Wide eyed, they came to see when I put away the last box. How could

anything be better than having your very own tree in the house? But this was

definitely better. Much better. This was like having your wishes come

true - even before you knew what they were! Like having every toy in the

whole world delivered right to your living room! They looked up at me

incredulous. Is THIS what Santa does? No, I laughed, this is not for you -

well it is, but - I fumbled for an appropriate explanation.

As we found our beds and tucked in, I wondered if I could remember my

first Christmas tree. Just as I was drifting off, I heard the tinkle of the

first ornament hit the floor… mmm, I thought, in my groggy sentimental state,

that's what icicles sound like when they fall to the sidewalk. By the time

the second and third ornaments hit the floor in quick succession, I was

flying through the house in a flash of flannel. I reached the living room

just in time to put out a lucky hand and save the Christmas tree from a nasty

fall.

Out from between the branchescame those four blue eyes, looking a tad

guilty - but far more pleased with the excitement they had created. My anger

rose as they crawled out of the Christmas carnage. How could they?! I'd

worked so hard to make everything perfect! They looked up at me, clearly

confused by my outburst. Fuming, I struggled to right the tree. One of them

gently rolled a shinny red ball toward me. It didn't bounce to the moon

after all, but it did melt my resolve.

Once the tree was standing proud again, I sat down, gathered them into

my lap, and cried. Not for the near tree-tragedy, not for the fright of it,

not even for the loss of a few decorations. But for having lost - then found

the way to my heart. To the place within me that knows nothing is ever so

wrong that something good cannot come from it; that the gentle hand of God is

in every moment, all I have to do is find it; that regardless of what I think

or feel, I'm always alright; that it is never about the things - they are

just there to remind me to come home to the heart; and that my job in this

life is to have fun, no matter what.

Years went by, they grew up and grew wise - and never again let me shed

a tear alone. We weathered the storms of life together with love and humor.

Each Christmas they were less interested in playing with the tree, but they

never missed the opportunity to curl up underneath it.

They've moved on to a different existence - now they are part of the

magic that makes my Christmas tree sparkle. But when I placed them under the

tree today, safe in their silver boxes, I half wondered if my tree would be

standing in the morning…

I hope you will hear long forgotten voices in the ringing of holiday

music, I hope you will feel the love you thought you'd left behind. But most

of all, I hope you will find the Place in your heart and share it.

God Bless and keep you into the New Year. See you in Chicago

Mari