Happy Holidays
We held our own holiday concert of sorts at our house last weekend. Children, ages 6 to 12, played the piano or violin to accompany a throng of mostly adult carolers. From the “Hanukkah Song” to “Frosty the Snowman” to “Silent Night,” the joy of the season came to life. Out of the chaos and occasional dissonance came a few bars of beautiful music, a lot of smiles, laughter and a great sense of connection across generations and faith. May your Christmastime be likewise filled with music and the joy of humanity.
Stacey Cowles/Publisher
Christmas countdown. Cards to mail, gifts to purchase … Then my son, Steven, nearly 6, stands before me. Looking worn out, he climbs into my lap. Cuddling went away years ago. He snuggles in my arms as Christmas music plays softly and holiday lights rhythmically twinkle. He slowly falls asleep. For one brief moment, life is clear. He didn’t need anything from me but my time. And truly, all we can give another is ourselves. As little snores escaped his mouth, I knew Christmas had come early.
Jackie Van Allen/Staff writer
I grew up poor and never have been materialistic. I felt I was rich if I had a quarter for five packs of baseball cards in the days of Mays, Mantle and Aaron. My parents sacrificed to make Christmas nice. That’s why I enjoy little gifts, given with thought or sacrifice, like the elk burger a colleague gave me after a successful hunt. Or the stuffed Idaho potato that another co-worker ordered for me off eBay. Or the Huckleberry Hound ornament my sister Charlotte brought over after her Kootenai Medical Center shift. They’re reflections of the love and kindness God showed when He sent his Son that first Christmas to be my Lord and Savior.
D.F. Oliveria/Staff writer
According to a source too young to know the meaning of “secret,” I will be getting snow pants for Christmas. A mother’s exasperation confirms this.
Gary Crooks/Staff writer
As I rushed around to shop for just the right Christmas cards to dash off to family and friends this year, I found one that made me pause and ponder the simple truth of its words: “God knew we could never buy our way to Him - the cost was too great; we could never earn our way to Him - the task was too great; we could never will our way to Him - the commitment was too great. God knew we could never come to Him … so He came to us.” Christmas is a wonderful reminder that our hope is not based on what we can do for God, but on what Christ has done for us!
Monica Hillard/Guest writer
For those of us who celebrate Christmas, every tree-scented living room, every red-and-green festooned store window, every cheery passer-by reminds us of our shared culture. Familiar carols, on the radio or in the elevator, summon remembered lyrics to our lips. Nothing is more unifying.
My holiday wish is to embrace this experience of oneness so I might appreciate more fully those seemingly alien celebrations and traditions that connect others just as securely, adding diversity and richness to our community.
Doug Floyd/Interactive editor
Our 7-year-old daughter has the Santa thing all figured out. The other day at breakfast, out of the blue, she said, “I believe in Santa Claus, but I don’t think he brings presents to everybody on Christmas Eve. I think the parents do that. After everyone has gone to bed on Christmas Eve, they get up, go shopping for things and put them under the tree before we wake up.”
Fern Christenson/Staff writer
Last Saturday, I noticed our neighbor having trouble with her snowblower. I found my 11-year-old son and told him, “Tomi needs our help.” We sprang into action, shoveling a foot of snow from her sidewalk and driveway. It took us 45 minutes of grunting and sweating. She baked us a batch of wonderful cookies as thanks. But I wanted to thank her, for giving a father a chance to show his son what it means to be a good neighbor and how important it is to give, selflessly, throughout the year.
Ken Sands/Interactive editor
It started out as one of those baby’s firsts things - a photo of our infant daughter on Santa’s lap. The picture was such a hit with the grandparents we did it again the next year. Soon she was joined in the sitting by her brother. For years the kids reminded us early and often to carve out time for the Santa picture. Long past the age when they need a Santa fix, they still go. Maybe they’re just being good sports. Or perhaps they see the wonderful chronicle of them growing up over 20 Christmases that their mother and I see.
John Kafentzis/Staff writer
We did not know Nicholas well. His mother and my brother divorced when he was small, and mother and son moved away. We kept in sporadic touch through phone calls, letters, a few visits. In November, Nicholas’ mother sent him to Spokane to celebrate my mother’s 80th birthday. Nicholas, a 22-year-old U.S. Marine, inherited exactly the mouth and smile of my deceased father. So his presence here became a double gift. Nicholas - named after the saint whose legend evolved into Santa Claus - brought with him this season a reminder to keep family connections alive.
Rebecca Nappi/Interactive editor
My Christmas thoughts are directed to my co-workers here in the foxhole at the editorial board. Please remember that it is our differences that make our work interesting. This political season has certainly tested that notion. Peace and good will to all of you.
Scott Sines/Managing editor
Keeping the faith is what this season is all about. Faith in family, faith in one’s career, faith in the future. Join me in asking Spokane and the Inland Northwest to keep the faith!
Chris Peck/Editor
After a Silent Night, came Easter morning.
John Webster/Opinion editor