Saturday Stories #5 Christmas Stuff

Written at Berkeley Creative Living Center, December 16, 2013

These fiction stories are unedited, unfiltered, and written in 15-25 minutes. Please be aware that they may contain intense material related to emotional healing, trauma recovery, and redirected fears.

There once was a little girl who believed in Christmas, not just in Santa, but in all of Christmas. She thought the holiday just sparkled with magic. She loved the joy and peace and hope that made up the Christmas feeling for her, also known as the Christmas Spirit. Her parents were a miserly, old couple and they hated Christmas. They didn’t have decorations, presents, or a tree, no lights, or candy canes, or gingerbread houses, and most importantly, no singing.

But the little girl still had Christmas everywhere she went in the world. And she kept the warmth and love of the holiday hidden in her heart. Very quietly when she was going to bed at night she would sing Christmas carols to herself. She had become quite good at whisper singing. She imagined what it must be like at the North Pole and what kind of person Santa must be. She just knew that Mr. and Mrs. Clause must be nothing like her parents. Whenever she could she would walk herself to the library to read Christmas stories. She went into stores to hear the Christmas music.

Then one Christmas Eve when she was 10 she decided to run away from home. She knew Santa must be out there even if he had never come to give her presents. She was sure that her parents would not allow such a thing to happen. So, she left her house, climbed out her window as soon as she was sent to bed. Being that she lived in Southern California there was no snow and in fact it was quite a warm night. She walked and she walked until she came to a mall. She stood outside in the dark. Then she saw him, Santa Clause. He wore blue jeans and a red sweater, but she could tell by his eyes that he was the one.

She walked up to him and when she was near him, he looked down at her with surprise.

“Oh, ho, ho, my dear, what are you doing out so late? Where are your parents?”

“They don’t believe in Christmas, so I came to find you.”

Today’s Insights

How many children in difficult situations hold hope and love and joy even when those closet to them are unable to provide for their needs and in some cases neglect their basic needs or cause harm. We all hear that hurt people hurt people, but this isn’t always the case and I think most often those who’ve been neglected or have been through relational trauma are some of the kindest people because they know suffering and the need for connection.

At the same time, often as we begin to heal all those feelings surface and as we begin to build relationships we have to learn how to work through things in a new way. Part of this process for many is leaving the “safety” of a home that wasn’t loving in search of something more. Christmas and the holidays can be challenging for many who have had difficult pasts. Some go on to find and create chosen families, yet are criticized and asked where their parents are and why they don’t talk to them. Others choose to stay in relationship, despite continuing to be hurt or painful reminders of the past. There is no right or wrong way to get through the holidays and reclaim your life after a painful childhood. Sending love to anyone who’s struggling during the “most wonderful time of the year”.

If you wish to continue the story in your own creative writing you can start by answering the questions below or just writing what comes and seeing where your imagination takes you.

·      What does the man say in response?

·      Is he the real Santa Clause?

·      How does this interaction change the little girl?

·      How does it change the man?

·      How does the little girl’s leaving impact the parents?