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Do you feel holiday pressure starting to kick in? Do you feel the need to get everything done…on time…on budget… and with a smile? The other day my inner Scrooge started up. The to-list was growing — trees, wreathes, cards, decorations, stockings, holly, cookies, gifts. I needed to get into the spirit. Then I turned on the radio and this happened…

“And so this is Christmas…”

John Lennon’s unmistakable voice came on. I listened, feeling the annual stirring. It occurred to me I’ve heard “Happy Christmas (War is Over)” every December of my almost-forty-year marriage.

It took me back to the first holiday Randy and I spent together as newlyweds. We had a tiny condo and decorated a ficus tree with strings of white lights. Hearing this song was especially poignant since Lennon had been assassinated a few weeks earlier.

Years later I heard that song played, except now we had a house and a real tree. Two little boys danced around, waiting for Santa. They woke us at 5:45 a.m., breathless with excitement, jumping on our bed.

The years passed. And John Lennon sang again, this time on an I-Pod. Those little boys are now young men with full beards.  Instead of waking at 5:45 a.m., they have to be coerced to the living room by 9:30 a.m., mugs of coffee in hand.

“And what have you done…”

Lennon seems to be asking what we did with these 365 days. Did we try and help? Did we do our best? Did we learn? Did we grow? I hope I encouraged and loved and was there. I hoped I gave a smile and kind words when needed. I hope I was a good wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.

Still, so many do much more. I see nurses and teachers who dedicate their lives to others. I have family and friends who spend their time helping the needy, children, and stray animals. They inspire me to do better.

“Another year over…”

This was a tough one. My Dad passed away. We also lost Randy’s Mom and our sweet dog, Simon. There was too much death.

And yet good things happened. In the hospital where I visited my ailing father, I saw countless acts of kindness. Both my sons found vocations they love. My husband Randy still happily plunks away on his bass. The sun still shines. And I still love my morning cup of tea. Life goes on.

“A new one just begun…”

Don’t these holidays come around impossibly fast? I pray we turn a corner this year, although it’s hard to be hopeful. The country is divided. Another mass killing takes place and my stomach drops. My generation didn’t grow up like this nor did my parents’. My heart goes out to young people who must navigate this world.

And yet, judging by my sons and their friends I know they’ll be okay. This group is brave, strong, and resilient. They’ll not only make it through, but will someday make a difference.

“And so Merry Christmas and Happy New Year…”

Or Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa. Lately politicians work to anger us, focusing on differences, giving reasons to hate and fear each other.

I used to volunteer at Mercy Learning Center, a literacy school for women in a tough section of Bridgeport, CT. During the holidays students were encouraged to share traditions. One by one, females from Pakistan, Laos, Jamaica, and Senegal stood and told their stories. One thing always struck me. Whether Christian, Jewish or Muslim, they took great pride in family, food, and culture. In the end, we’re more alike than different.

“Let’s hope it’s a good one… without any fear”

John Lennon died forty years ago this week. I remember waking that morning in 1980, hearing these shocking words on the radio: “He’s survived by his widow, Yoko Ono and son Sean.” I turned to Randy in disbelief. He nodded sadly. He’d heard the news the night before, but didn’t want to wake me.

I kept wondering how would the globe spin without John Lennon? Who would lead the cause for peace and non-violence? It seemed impossible he was gone. Yet the years sped by and here we are.

And now I can’t help wonder…what would Lennon say about the world today?

“War is over. If you want it…”

The song ends. And I feel right again.

Whatever petty Yuletide problems I have don’t matter. “Happy Christmas (War is Over)” reminds me this holiday is more than tinsel and evergreens. Christmas is about time passing. It’s about life and love and family. Christmas is about finding joy where you can. Christmas is about hope.

Thank you John Lennon.  You did it once again.  And I still miss you.

 

 

Do you have a favorite holiday song that puts you right? I’d love to hear. Thanks for commenting and if you’d like to share, feel free.

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Comments(54)

  1. This is beautiful. Hubby calls me a Scrooge every year, but I’m not. I don’t love all of the Christmas things he thinks of as Christmas, but I love the spirit of it like what you write about.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks Heather. I think the material aspect turns me off. But I hear a song like “Happy Christmas” and it brings me back to what its all about. Thanks for reading.

  2. What a lovely and evocative post! And I’m with Heather…I don’t subscribe to the cliches, but there is so much meaning to be found this time of year.

    I was a freshman in college when John Lennon was shot and there was a girl in my dorm who was dating a guy named John Lennon. When the news came on the TV, she wasn’t able to discern the difference for about 15 minutes…I will never forget that.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      How scary for the girl dating John Lennon. And you’re right, there is much meaning this time of year, especially since its the end of one and beginning of another.

  3. Funny…because I’ve been listening to a lot of John Lennon recently. I seem to at Christmas time…so much wisdom and heartfelt. Brings memories for me through the years too… Have a Happy Holiday.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thanks so much, Karen. Of all the holiday songs out there, that one gets me every time. Its puts things in perspective. Thanks for reading.

  4. This is lovely and inspirational. It’s the most unique holiday post I’ve seen.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thank you so much, Carol.

  5. A beautiful post for a beautiful song. Sorry there’s been so much death in your year, but I hope that 2016 holds untold joy for you and yours, and far, far less war than there has been so far.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Thank you so much. I have great hope for 2016. And yes, I think we all pray for less war.

  6. Imagine

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Yes, and one of his best songs.

  7. I was in London the day he died. It was also the week everyone was left hanging until the next season as to Who Shot JR? on “Dallas?” When our London cabbie found out my husband and I were from Texas, he pulled over and wanted to know why anyone would want to shoot John Lennon or JR? It was a long conversation. Brenda

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Wow, I can’t imagine being in London when he died. What a sad time. I couldn’t imagine the world going on without Lennon. We all loved him so much.

  8. Beautiful post, Laurie. I love how you don’t just hear the melody, but you let the words penetrate. For me it’s Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing “Little Drummer Boy/ Peace on Earth” and “I Believe in Father Christmas” by Greg Lake.
    “I wish you a hopeful Christmas,
    I wish you a brave New Year,
    All anguish, pain, and sadness,
    Leave your heart and let your road be clear.”

    We have scaled down our Christmas to the point where it is stress-free. If we decide to put up a tree we put one up. If not, no problem. We stopped exchanging gifts with anyone over the age of 18 or over 5 feet tall, but we will happily make a donation to the selected charity of a family member if they would like. For me, it’s the simple things like hearing those songs, and their messages, that make the holiday season complete.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      Karen, For years I’ve wanted to give gifts only to children and the needy at Christmas. It hasn’t gone over yet, but still working on it.

  9. I think the song resonates with a lot of us in a similar way. I was in my first year at high school the day he was shot. It was all anybody talked about for the next month. I do sometimes wonder what other marvelous songs the world was robbed of on that day.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 8 years ago

      So true, Bun. I never thought of it that way.

  10. You speak such truth. Any year can bring us such sadness, but also many joys. Life is full of both. I also kind of love this song – always gets me to thinking.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Lisa, This song has always touched me. It doesn’t feel like Christmas without it. I agree, life is full of both good and bad. That never changes.

  11. I have a definite problem dealing with my inner Ebenezer at this time of the year. Thanks for the reminder of the bigger picture.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Shelley, I think we all do. A lot of the holiday falls on women. John Lennon always makes me feel better.

  12. […] just stumbled across this post about how John Lennon saved Christmas for one woman. And here are some other thoughts to help you enjoy positive aspects of the […]

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Loved it, Shelley. Read and commented.

  13. I loved this Laurie…very poignant and timely indeed!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Thank you. I still miss him.

  14. Lovely post. He was a part of our generation. “Imagine” is the song for me that brings me to tears!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Haralee, He was part of our generation growing up. I remember wondering how the world would still spin without John Lennon. And yet so many decades later, here we are.

  15. Husby and I play Santa and Mrs. and getting out the costumes to the Boney M Christmas album or Muppet Christmas Carol album (you heard me right) always does it for me.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Diane, I read that wonderful post about you and your husband as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. How adorable you both are. If we lived closer (I live in CT), I’d come visit!

  16. Laurie, this is a lovely, lovely post. Your heart is full in this email and it just makes me feel good about the season. Christmas is about hope and it’s about the words of a man like John Lennon who stood outside the norm to express his views and to shake some of us awake. I wish he were here still–I know he would be doing an awful lot of shaking and singing. My brother is in the music business and has an original John Lennon drawing. He still mourns him.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Beth, OMG, your brother has one of his drawings? How cool is that. Yes, John was taken too soon. I can only imagine what he’d think of our country today. Shudder.

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      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

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  21. And here we still are mourning his senseless death and cherishing his music.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Haralee, So true. Wonder what he’d have to say about the country today?

  22. For me, it’s listening to Bing Crosby croon out any one of his Christmas songs. I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas will have more meaning to me now that I’m in Florida. (But I’m so glad I’m not navigating that wintery mess that you’ve got on your hands this morning.) I used to love watching his Christmas specials and listening to his Christmas music takes me back there…back home to simpler times.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      “White Christmas” is a song for the ages, no doubt. And yes, we had a mess here, but incredibly beautiful too. Of course, see how I feel about winter in February.

  23. As a Beatles fan since 1964, and married for 31 years to one, I can really relate to this. I still remember the exact moment when I heard the news about John’s assassination, driving down Rock Creek Parkway on my way to my Capitol Hill job. This is a lovely piece.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Shari, Thanks so much. I’m sure many fans remember the moment they heard the terrible news.

  24. What a touching post. Of all the overplayed Christmas songs this is one of the few I am happy to hear every year (and Bruce Springsteen’s Santa Clause is coming to town).

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Lauren, This always starts off the holiday season for me. Glad you like it too.

  25. What a wonderful post! It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since Lennon was killed. I remember the day.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 4 years ago

      Rebecca, Yes, next year will be 40 years. How is that possible?

  26. This has been such a tough year. Even though most of my kids and ALL of my grandkids live within five minutes of me, we can’t see each other except on Zoom. I feel as though we’re poles apart. And Santa and Mrs. had to hang up their tinsel this year, which was REALLY hard on Santa. But I guess that is exactly what John Lennon is addressing. There have been and will be difficulties. But we can choose to put them aside as they happen and carry on. All these years later, it still works!
    Thanks, John!
    And thank you, Laurie!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Diane, Hope you and Santa have a wonderful holiday this year. Let’s hope for the best next year!

  27. This song is so haunting and I feel the same way whenever I hear it during the holidays. I was young but remembered when he died, I was in shock even though at the time I didn’t fully understand his legacy. I think I was more shocked that a fan would stalk him and murder him in crazed cold blood. It’s funny, I am normally not into Christmas music but this year it’s all I am listening to the month of December. I need a little extra joy. This beautifully written as always.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Lauren, Thank you so much for your kind words. Have a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year!

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