FROM THE VALLEY: It won't be the merriest Christmas

Opinion

December 20, 2012

FROM THE VALLEY: It won't be the merriest Christmas

-- Lockport Union-Sun & Journal The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Thu Dec 20, 2012, 02:45 AM EST

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — This will be the seventh time that I’ve written a Christmas column since starting ‘From the Valley’ in 2006. With the recent tragedy in Connecticut, I’ve questioned whether I should — or could — ignore that situation and and just move on. No can do.

Instead of my yearly (and family-oriented) twist on Clement Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas” I offer this:

‘Twas several days before Christmas and our country is indeed sad,

there is so much violence, and things are so bad

What should be a peaceful — serene time of year;

Has children and parents cowering in fear

The sinister behavior that poisons our land,

Has no explanation — we can’t understand;

So many questions — we always ask why,

Looking for answers — it’s useless to try

The senseless tragedies — how does one cope?

It can break your spirit — diminish all hope

But persevere is the one thing — that we have to do,

With His guiding light — we’ll see this thing through

So rise to the occasion — we can turn it around,

We’ll not give an inch — we’ll stand our ground;

Our hearts will not harden — we’ll go on strong

Leaving no room for evil, wickedness or wrong.

Fill your hearts with love — surround yourself with good friends,

Lift a toast to the good times — let the healing begin.

•••

It matters little what our various faiths are, what does matter is that we never allow the candle of hope that dwells in our souls to flicker out. ‘Fan into flame’ the mindset that there is more good than evil. Darkness cannot exist wherever there is light.

Let us be encouraged by the kindness of family, friends and strangers. And not beaten down by those whose callous actions corrupt the very essence of our existence.

Take the time to appreciate the true meaning of the Holidays. Give the gift of a smile to those around you … and to yourself.

Merry Christmas, my friends.

That’s the way it looks from the Valley.

Tom Valley is a Medina resident. His column appears every Thursday. Contact him at tvalley@rochester.rr.com.