How Things Change

by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger

How things have changed. When Mick and I were children, Christmas morning meant being up early and the neighborhood abuzz with children playing in the streets with their new bike or scooter or toys. It meant children dashing into each other's houses to compare Christmas presents and share the excitement.

On Christmas morning here, as it has been for many Christmases now, there is not child to be seen in the streets, not a sound of laughter and excitement outside. All Mick and I saw and heard was a disgustingly healthy jogger as he passed.

In Christmases past, Christmas morning was for the immediate family and sharing with neighborhood friends. Then after lunch it was over to visit grandparents and other relatives for the extended family get together. In those days most families lived much closer so it was practical, whereas these days more families are many miles apart.

In Australia stores did not open again after Christmas till December 27th or 28th, when after Christmas sales started. Now the sales start Boxing Day. Sales people and check out operators are expected to work ridiculous hours that take them away from spouses and families to satisfy the obsession with shopping and grabbing bargains at the sales.

In Sydney some stores opened at 5am Boxing Day. Others at 6am. Were we among them to garner a bargain? No we were not.

All I could think of was how sad that what had once been a time for families to enjoy being together had been overtaken by consumerism. I listened to several people's comment about the sales. 'I don't want anything in particular. I just didn't want to miss out on a bargain.'

So it's not about need but wants and greed.

Our Boxing Day was spent with our son, his wife and family and our daughter and her husband, as we gathered together for a special day of fun, laughter and enjoying a relaxing time together. There were food and love, games of ping pong, magic tricks and sharing of conversation and much laughter.

'The most vivid memories of Christmases past are usually not of gifts given or received, but of the spirit of love, the special warmth of Christmas worship, the cherished little habits of the home,' Lois Rand says.

True enough, I know which way I'd rather spend Boxing Day. What about you?

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Learn more about Dale Harcombe

Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults.

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