This story opens with Susie Sunshine getting ready for Christmas. She hurries home from shopping to bake cookies and wrap the gifts. The Christmas tree is up and everything is beginning to look like Christmas.
There is such a feeling of contentment. She remembers Christ's birth as she quietly hums her favorite Christmas carol.
Suddenly, there is a very loud crash coming from the living room, rushing in only to find that the dog, a Great Dane named Chester, has, for some unknown reason, jumped into the Christmas tree. Water, needles, ornaments are everywhere. Some lay broken beyond repair. The presents are wet and the paper torn. When she reacts, and she does react, the dog dashes into the kitchen upsetting the table with the just made cookies and candy.
The children open the door just as the dog makes a dash and escapes the wrath of Susie. The children begin to laugh and then cry when they see the tree and the gifts in such a mess. To make matters worse, there is a nasty smell of something burning and smoke fills the room. OH NO! The cookies are on fire! They are black as coal and ruined.
Just then, in walks the man of the house, Sam. He is already in a foul mood because just before he left work, the company announced that they are cutting back and there will be no Christmas bonus this year. Looking at the mess, he screams, "Why can't I just come home to a peaceful house? Susie, can't you keep control? What are you kids crying about? What the hell is going on?"
Susie just stares and then she, too, starts crying. She runs to the bedroom and locks herself in. She throws herself on the bed and cries like her heart is broken. She starts thinking about how it used to be. She wishes life was like it was when she was young and only had to be good, so Santa would come. Oh, those were the days! She wishes she had never grown up! It's just too hard!
Suddenly, there is a bright light filling the room and she is a child again and it's the night before Christmas. She can see that not everything is as she remembered. Her parents are in a very heated conversation. Let's listen in.
"What do you mean you didn't pay any bills this month? Why do you think I go to work everyday, so you can spend it all on Christmas? I thought we were going to cut back." Her mother's soft crying really disturbs Susie.
Now it's Christmas day, and somehow it doesn't seem as wonderful as Susie remembered for all these years. Susie's grandparents are telling her parents that they spend too much money and are spoiling the children! Complaints can be heard from the older aunts and uncles, how hard it is to get out with their aches and pains. Why they have to come so far, just for Christmas! Somehow even the presents are not what she remembered. It's funny how memories grow into what you want them to be.
Susie's thoughts turn to a more recent Christmas. She's young and in love, and Sam Sunshine has just asked her to marry him. "Oh, how wonderful this Christmas is?" As she looks beyond this memory, she sees that her parents are still arguing and there is too much commercialism about Christmas. But, Susie just knows that she and Sam will have perfect Christmases forever more. Everything is beautiful through the eyes of love.
The kids came along and enriched their lives and made Christmas fun. The candlelight service at their church added a special peaceful feeling to their Christmas' past.
"Why am I sitting here feeling sorry for myself? Christmas is a feeling. It's a Positive Mental Attitude. It's the celebration of Christ's birth! It's joy! Susie has it, it's time to use it, and then pass it around.
This first thing to do is offer a prayer of thanksgiving that this is the here and now. She asks God to help her. She is ready.
Okay, out of her room now. The kids are still crying and there is a scowl on Sam's brow. The house is a mess. What to do? Hmmm.
Susie walks over to the stereo and turns on some Christmas music! The song that is playing is "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." She can't help but laugh out loud.
"So, let's get busy!," she says. It's not too late. Sam, please set up the tree. Kids, you pick up the ornaments and put them back on the tree. Stack up the gifts over on the side and we will all have fun wrapping them later. Open the window and let the smoke out. I'll get the broom and start cleaning up the kitchen. I know we will all do an excellent job and Christmas will be beautiful!" She looks at Sam, he opens his arms, and as she snuggles in for a much needed hug, she says, "And, as for the Christmas bonus, it's not near as important as what we already have. We have each other, we have love, and we have peace."
May the love of Christ fill your heart and give you a very positive attitude.
By: Alice J. Pomeroy © 2008
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