Storytellersunplugged

Whenever a critical issue needs to be addressed in my home, I usually call everyone together for a ‘family meeting.’ These meetings aren’t initiated often, maybe once every other year, so my daughters know when they get the call regarding a FM, a situation has come up that will involve the whole family and their input is needed and vital. Although it’s always been understood that attendance is mandatory, it’s never been a rule I’ve had to strong arm. My daughters are inherently curious and love to voice their opinion on any matter. Plus, they get the chance to collectively raid Mom’s fridge and pantry.

Well, this week a television commercial prompted one of these meetings. Not just any commercial, a Christmas commercial—complete with Santa, reindeer, snow, shoppers with gift laden arms, and gismos and gadgets that no American can possibly do without. All this, and we haven’t even touched Thanksgiving yet. In truth, I think the very end of the commercial is what got to me. The actress held up a credit card, gave the camera a fake, ultra white, toothy smile, then hugged the card to her like it was a best friend. Watching that made me think of the last few holiday seasons, when friends and family, groaned and moaned, rushed and stressed over what to buy for whom and the ever-growing balance on their credit card statements. Then, when Christmas morning finally did arrive, everyone gathered around the tree, shredded through the fancy bows and wrapping paper in a bleary-eyed frenzy, then ooohed and ahhhed over gifts that were either returned, exchanged or stored in a closet. I couldn’t help but wonder, why on earth do we keep doing this to ourselves year after year?

Then it dawned on me—we DON’T have to keep doing this every year. No one issued an official mandate, constitution, bylaw, or decree that says we have to put up with that kind of stress. All that’s needed is for someone to say, “Stop the madness!”

So I did.

This is the alternative holiday I proposed to my family: Instead of fighting the crowds and traffic and over spending, let’s give our natural talents as gifts. Let’s use what we’re good at to portray the most endearing quality of each family member or highlight something a family member is passionate about. For example, if one of your sisters loves horses and your talent is drawing, then sketch a portrait of her astride her favorite breed.

At first, everyone seemed skeptical about the idea. What? We’re not going to be one of the sheep following the rest of the blind herd into this holiday hoopla?

That’s right. We’re not.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for everyone to warm up to the concept. In a matter of minutes, they were talking over each another, laughing and sharing project ideas. I sat back and watched in amazement. The idea alone had the power to draw everyone closer together.

Now, all three of my daughters have a talent for writing, but I don’t know if that’ll be their expression of choice. My oldest writes poetry like a pro, but she hasn’t put pen to paper in years. My middle daughter is remarkable with lyrics, but she, too, has allowed the talent to go dormant. And my youngest has the ability to write prose with such profound depth it leaves me dumbstruck. She, too, though, has allowed it to take a backseat to life’s other issues. However they choose to express themselves, I’m hopeful this new holiday project will not only give voice to those silenced gifts, it will cause each of us to stop for a while and focus on the positive traits of those we love.

As for me, I’ll write something, of course, and in fact, have already started on some gifts. I plan on giving each daughter a letter, detailing how I felt the first time I held her, the beautiful qualities that make her unique, and how she is and always will be my greatest gift.

To tell you the truth, never has expressing my thoughts through the written word felt as vital as it does when I’m working on those letters. And never have I felt more inadequate as a writer.