I guess a major reason I have not been able to get into the holiday spirit over the last few years is the mere fact that I have spent every Christmas since 2004 away from my hometown — where all the Christmas magic happened during my youth.
I can remember sitting at the house in Rainier watching Christmas movies night after night and anticipating the annual tour of light displays that we would do every year. Local businesses buzzed, people displayed random acts of kindness, and it even snowed once in awhile.
Longview had some excellent light displays too. Civic Circle, Lions Island and Commerce Avenue all come to mind. Not to mention a neat little trip up Cascade Way every now and then to see the nicer houses light up for the holiday.
I spent Christmas 2005 in Iraq and played football with some of the soldiers and airmen on an abandoned grass helipad. Christmas 2006 was spent in Oregon with my ex and her family…and Christmas ‘07 and ‘08 were spent with the family in Missouri.
This year I am back in the Northwest…not quite Longview, but I do have easy access to my hometown. I will be heading there later this morning to try to re-capture some memories of holidays past and get that holiday spirit once again. I need it since I won’t be able to spend Christmas with the family this year.
If I could have one thing for Christmas, I would gather the family together and spend a week at the old place up Fern Hill Road leading up to Christmas. Just for old times’ sake.
Life changes quickly, but Christmases with my family here in the Northwest are memories that won’t fade out anytime soon. I would give a substantial amount of anything to make just one more happen again.
I know it won’t anytime soon, so I’m doing the next best thing.
See you in a few hours, Longview.
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