Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane wrote Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
It made its debut in the movie, Meet Me in St. Louis, during a poignant scene with Esther Smith(Judy Garland) and her little sister, Tootie(Margaret O’Brien). The sisters have learned that their father is planning to move the family from St. Louis to New York for a new job opportunity. The children do not want to leave.
Sometimes, in the movies, as in real life, situations arise that determine when we need to make changes. Things happen and we sometimes find ourselves needing to weather storms that often accompany changes, especially at Christmas. It makes for a difficult time. The Christmas season has always been a little difficult for me. Now that I’m an adult, I do my best to not let it bleed into other people’s happy spirits.
When I was growing up, I never really had great Christmases. I went to private school and the kids I attended with lived all over the Dallas metroplex. So, I didn’t have neighborhood friends. Also, my birthday falls shortly after Christmas Day and shortly before New Years. So, I was a kid who was never in school to celebrate with friends. And at home, my birthday seemed to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the “season”. I know I’m not alone in my feelings, but for me, the “joyous season” was kind of a bummer. So, Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas was always comforting to hear. It helped me to feel less alone in my doldrums.
Fast forward, many years, after a tumultuous marriage, I found myself divorced. At the time, I had a very young son, so sharing custody at Christmas became an added heartache. Through the years, we all will be together… Fast forward, several more years, and I lose my grandparents on the night of my son’s first Christmas concert. It was devastating.
I write this post as a kind reminder. In the spirit of Christmas, to all the incredibly happy people, don’t forget that for some, it’s not always twinkle lights and tinsel time. Sometimes, it’s just a part of the year we “have to muddle through, somehow“. And for ‘humbuggers’ who may not have the “Christmas Spirit”, don’t drag others down with how bad things are. Keep looking ahead, and this too shall pass. In all we/ve been given, we should do our best to enjoy what life offers, no matter the day or season.
Finally, by all means possible, find the good in each other, today and everyday. Be respectful of others joys and sorrows. From now on, our troubles will be out of sight. It certainly sounds like a fantastic expectation, one I want to grab hold of. While approaching the new year, this song gives me a sense of hope for a brighter future. Life can hold heartaches and uncertainty, but do your best to hang on and Have yourself a merry little Christmas, NOW…
