by Bob Stealey

editor

Almost every Christmas season, at one time or another, we find ourselves thinking about Christmases past and how we consider this Christmas to be different from last year. Phyllis Pilewski has sent a list of some of them, as follows:

-- Last Christmas, we were thinking about all the things we didn't have; this Christmas, we are thinking about all the things we do have.

-- Last Christmas, we were placing wreaths on the doors of our homes; this Christmas, many are placing wreaths on the graves of our heroes.

-- Last Christmas, many were letting our sons play with toy guns; this Christmas, we are teaching them that guns are not toys.

-- Last Christmas, we were counting our money; this Christmas, we are counting our blessings.

-- Last Christmas, we paid lip service to the real meaning of the holidays; this Christmas, we are paying homage to it.

-- Last Christmas, we were lighting candles to decorate; this Christmas, we are lighting candles to commemorate.

-- Last Christmas, we were digging deep into our bank accounts to find the money to fly home for the holiday; this Christmas, we are digging deep into our souls to find the courage to do so.

-- Last Christmas, we were trying not to let annoying relatives get the best of us; this Christmas, we are trying to give the best of ourselves to them.

-- Last Christmas, we thought it was enough to celebrate the holidays; this Christmas, we know we must also find ways to consecrate them.

-- Last Christmas, we thought a man who could rush down a football field was a hero; this Christmas, we know a man who rushes into a burning building is the real one.

-- Last Christmas, we were thinking about the madness of the holidays; this Christmas, we are thinking about the meaning of them.

-- Last Christmas, we were getting on one another's nerves; this Christmas, we are getting on our knees.

-- Last Christmas, we were giving thanks for gifts from stores; this Christmas, we are giving thanks for gifts from God.

-- Last Christmas, we were wondering how to give our children all the things that money can buy -- the hottest toys, the latest fashions, the newest gadgets; this Christmas, we are wondering how to give them all the things we can't -- a sense of security, safety, peace.

-- Last Christmas, we were thinking about all the pressure we are under at the office; this Christmas, we are thinking about all the people who no longer have an office -- or a job.

-- Last Christmas, we were thinking how good it would feel to be affluent; this Christmas, we are thinking how good it feels to be alive.

-- Last Christmas, we thought angels were in Heaven; this Christmas, we know that some are right here on Earth.

-- Last Christmas, we were contemplating all the changes we wanted to make in the New Year; this Christmas, we are contemplating all the changes we will have to make in this new reality.

My thanks to Phyllis Pilewski for her submission.

Don't forget, after today, there are only seven shopping days 'til Christmas.

Exponent-Telegram Editor Bob Stealey can be reached by phone at (304) 626-1438, or by e-mail at rstealey@exponent-telegram.com.