As I sit here stuffing my face and looking at a tree loaded with presents underneath it; I can't help but think of how lucky I am. Here I am on the eve of the most most popular holiday in A-merry-ca, and I am not cold, hungry, or broke. Sadly, I can't say the same for a lot of people in this country. People who are going through all sorts of financial anxieties, or who have been hit with one family crisis or another.
Of course happiness can be such a relative thing. You can point out the fact that there are folks in some countries who would give their right arms to be living in A-merry-ca right now. To them, Christmas is a day that is even more depressing because of what they cannot provide or obtain. To them, there is nothing merry about the merriest day in A-merry-ca.
But this is not a bash A-merry-ca post. Some A-merry-cans can be wonderfully benevolent people. (Some) A-merry-cans have given their time and money to many worthy charities in this country and the world. Charities like this one. And many A-merry-cans are decent caring people who really do understand the true spirit of Christmas. That is the A-merry-ca that I am happy to live in, and these are the A-merry-cans who I am proud to call my neighbors.
Season's greetings everyone, and may Rudolph find your house tonight.
36 comments:
And to even more people, Christmas is just another day of the year. Another depressing, poverty stricken day of hunger for dinner.
Hey there Field Negro!
Blessings to you on this day of remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ! (Jesus was not born in December, however.)
Merry Christmas to you and Mrs. Field!
Being a black Latina, I learned that in my parent's generation, it was common in Puerto Rico for children to put hay under their beds on Christmas Eve. Why, you ask? They believe that the Three Kings will leave gifts for them as they are leaving hay for the camels to eat.
I suppose it would be similar to the children in this country who leave out cookies and milk for Santa.
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
"For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Seasons Greetings Field! Just want to wish you and the Mrs. a very Merry Christmas, and remind you to not eat too terribly much of the holiday goodies. You still got to represent in the buff in less than a month. We have not forgotten! Have a very Merry time and safe travels back home.
Susan
Field,
I enjoy your blog. It's the best!
MERRY XMAS to you and your family.
Peace.
There are all kinds of good people, not just in America but everywhere you go. They come from all angles. There is a family of the civilized in our world. They do things for people when no one is looking, and they seek no credit. If anyone tries to get their name, they say, "Don't worry about that."
When you become a member of that family, it leaves an mark that's only visible to other members of the family, who then will seek you out in your time of need and lend a hand.
Human beings are weak. Ounce for ounce, an ant is 100,000 times as strong as we are. All manner of animals are faster, have sharper senses, stronger muscles, greater endurance, more strength, and quicker reflexes. But only we can be civilized. Only we can put ourselves second, or third, or last, because we know it's the right thing to so ... or just because.
This isn't a matter of being black or white, or Christian or non-Christian or atheist, or a member or not a member of any social or political group you can think of. It is a matter of whether we are in the human family, or whether we are not.
The reason we are still here is because the family of the civilized, dispersed and seemingly poor and powerless as it might be, is always there. In good times and bad, through thick and thin, in darkness and in light, in winter and summer, in storm and sunshine. The civilized are there, keeping on not for a reward, but because civilization is its own reward.
Merry Christmas, Field, and Merry Christmas to all, and may the New Year be the best it can be for everyone.
Good night, Field.
Merry Christmas to you and the ones you love.
Happy Holidays to you and your wife. You are truly Blessed.
Field,
Please have a wonderful safe holiday. I will be thinking of you and yours tomorrow.
rainy
Damn Field, can a brotha get a bailout or sumthin?
LOL
Merry Christmas my man.
Hey Field, You have a great social conscience.
In my part of the world, we've been doing stuff with the Food Bank and the Toy and Joy Makers.
We need to give more when the giving gets harder. (Isn't that an irony all in itself?)
But hey, let yourself go and have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for yourself and Mrs. Field. You both deserve it, for sure! :)
Field,
Merry Christmas to you & your wife!
I wish blessings upon each of you!
Happy, merry, Field.
Thanks everyone for the kind holiday wish.
Thanks Lisa for teaching me about another culturen and thanks anon.for that thoughtful comment.
You are all some of the most beautiful people that our country has to offer. Not to mention the most informed.
BTW,I am not eating too much, I know that I still have a run to make.
I met Jody and her boss over the holidays and I feel very good about my legal team:)
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Hope you guys have a great and enjoyable one!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and Mrs. Field.
Enjoy the day. Eat well, stay warm and if you go out, safe travels.
We will be staying home, eating, watching TV and movies and doing nothing but adding a few more calories to the waistline.
Wait until January 8 when December retail sales figures are announced. As much as I complain about my workload I am so thankful to have a job right now.
Happy holidays FN, and may 2009 treat you well.
Merry Xmas
Hope your day is filled with unconditional love of Family, friends and possibly a stranger.
Enjoy your time with family and friends, and thank you for creating a space for us to talk to each other. May this new year bring us all the courage to keep on hoping and working to make a difference.
Thanks everyone! And thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us, your online friends, on a regular basis.
I love connecting with all of you.
konagod, don't remind me, just hold on for 09.
Happy Holidays, Field.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours, Field, and thanks for your interesting and challenging blog.
Merry Christmas, FN. And the regular posters here.
Be safe and peaceful. Cherish the time with family and friends.
FIELD,
YOU COULDN'T FIND A BLACK SANTA FOR YOUR SIDEBAR?
I NOMINATE YOU, FIELD, FOR AN HONORARY HOUSE NEGRO ON CHRISTMAS DAY!
---girlSouthern
Merry Christmas to you and Mrs. Field - please especially send her our love as we know how tough the holidays are after the tragic loss of a loved one.
Reading your blog has been my gift for the year. Thanks, Counselor!
Merry Christmas from Comrade PhysioProf!!!
Brother Field... Happy holidays...I see where some people never take a day off, For them... relax for a day, even the meanest masters took a day off and let us celebrate. To all.. please bring cheer and goodwill to the humans you meet on this life's journey. This may sound corny..but this blog site is something I look forward to.
Mery Christmas to all and a big AMEN to anon 12:11. I am a Katrina survivor and I have seen up close and personal the selfless acts of so many A-merry-cans who came to our fair city to help(and those who did not come but did what they could.) Those unsung heros will forever be a part of my heart.
Can I enjoy a holiday as a fat, dumb and happy American without you reminding me how fat, dumb and happy I am? Jeez! I'll worry about the poor folk tomorrow, thank you very much!
Happy Holidays Everyone!!
Merry Christmas! Field
Merry Christmas. I am one of those who suffers from depression during this time of year. I fight it the best I can and few around me realize just how hard it is for me to exist during the season. Am I homeless -- no. Am I broke -- according to my standards. Am I without family and friends -- by my own choosing. However I was able to provide everything my daughter had on her wish list. I am greatful that others do not suffer as I do, but if I could have a wish for next year, it is always the same. I would love to have a Merry Christmas and feel the joy of the holiday as others do. Unfortunately, I've spent the last 10 Christmases alone. I haven't received a Christmas gift in years, so many I lost count. No one in my life calls me to wish me a Merry Christmas.
To those who feel like me, please keep your thoughts positive and your spirits high. Hope is all we have and prayer. Eventually, things just HAVE to get better.
7:28, I empathize with you, really I do. I, too, suffer from depression. But I'm on meds! And I'm not ashamed to tell it! You would do well to schedule a visit with your physician so that you can be diagnosed and properly treated. The black community doesn't like to discuss such things, but "us," of all people, need to shake the myths that we can do everything and all things.
What I'm reading in your post, however, is that, subconsciously, you enjoy the pity party that you're having.
A wonderful way of celebrating Kwanzaa is by sending a CowrieCard [http://CowrieCards.com]. This is an online greeting cards and invitations site for Black folk. The selections are wonderfully executed and really reflect our tastes and sensibilities as a people.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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