My grownup Christmas wish
Published 12:21 am Wednesday, December 23, 2015
By Jennifer J. Doering
Many of my friends have been asking why I have not written any stories lately. I believe the only answer to that is I have been keeping myself busy.
I am thoroughly enjoying tutoring second graders at Overton Elementary twice per week, as well as usually spending one afternoon per week at Rowan Helping Ministries where I am a crisis counselor volunteer.
There are many days that I don’t see my husband Don until dinnertime. He volunteers at Northeast Hospital transferring patients from admittance through discharge, plus teaches students twice per week how to read at the library. I believe these absences are what keep our marriage strong — you can’t fight when you don’t see each other!
Our lives are full. We have formed many wonderful friendships through the Rowan County Newcomers Club and I advise anyone living in Rowan County to check out this wonderful organization. You will never be bored and will soon have trouble keeping your waistline in check once you join! Most everything revolves around food.
I have had my health challenges this year; I am facing major back surgery in February of next year. So right now I’m praying hard to the man upstairs to see me through a successful surgery.
I want nothing for Christmas, because I feel I have everything. A wonderful husband (most of the time) for 44 years and two dogs that adore me. I try to continue to make new friends since we have no family here in town.
I am happy to know we will be visiting our grandsons, Gavin and Cameron, this Christmas. We don’t see them as often as we would like, but that is the price we pay for living in a different state. But long-distance love knows no boundaries.
In 1990 David Foster, along with his lyricist, Linda Thompson-Jenner, recorded the song, “My Grown-up Christmas List,” for Mr. Foster’s non-holiday album “River of Love.” This song was not a hit upon its first appearance. However, in 1992, Amy Grant recorded an altered lyrics version of this song for her second “Home for Christmas,” holiday album.
This song has turned into my absolute favorite for Christmas time, and for those of you who are not familiar with this song, I have taken the time to type out the lyrics. Nothing can say it better to what is on my mind for Christmas and for every future Christmas to come. With this song, but especially now, with so many bad things happening in our world, I felt very strongly to remind people what we all should be wishing for.
Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies.
Well, I’m all grown up now,
Can you still help somehow?
I’m not a child but my heart can dream
So here’s my lifelong wish,
My grownup Christmas list,
Not for myself but for a world in need:
No more lives torn apart,
Then wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts,
And right would always win,
And love would never end
This is my grownup Christmas list.
As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely wrapped beneath the tree.
Well, heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal a hurting human soul.
No more lives torn apart,
Then wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.
And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end
This is my grownup Christmas list.
What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth!
No more lives torn apart,
Then wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.
And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grownup Christmas list.
This is my lifelong wish,
This is my grownup Christmas list.
My question to all of you out there who decide to read this article; how can you ask for any more?
I extend to all of you a wonderful holiday season and great health and prosperity for the New Year!
Jennifer J. Doering lives in Salisbury.