Dec 21 2008
The Christmas tree blanket
Pre-Ramble: One of my favorite holiday traditions is watching Charles M. Schulz’ timeless animated special, A Charlie Brown Christmas. I think I’ve watched it every year since it first aired in 1965. There is something about the simple, playful quality of the illustrations, soft jazz sound track and multi-layered message that communicates the meaning of the holidays in a special way. (And who hasn’t felt like a Peanuts character bobbing around on the dance floor at some point in their lives?) Without being garrish or sappy, Linus’ reading of the story of the Nativity, conveys the meaning of Christmas as only the clear, singular voice of a child can. Near the end of the program, Linus wraps his cherished blanket around the base of Charlie Brown’s forlorn little tree, ”giving it a little love.” Before long the tree, surrounded by singing children (and a howling dog), is beaming with Christmas joy.
My friend is currently studying to be a life coach and has shared some of the observations she has had at various points in her training. One day she reflected on her grandmother, describing the way she could make each of her grandchildren feel special just by recognizing and pointing out their unique attributes and strengths. My friend likened her grandmother’s affirmation and warmth to “the blanket around the Charlie Brown Christmas tree.”
The Take-Away: Like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree, sometimes the people in our lives just need a little love wrapped around them to transform their outlook from hopeless and forgotten to appreciated and beautiful. Take time to share the warm blanket of your attention and compassion with friends, family, and even a few strangers this Christmas season.
Thanks for sharing your blanket of attention this year
deb
Thank you for writing about the warm blanket around the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It really doesn’t pay to hack away at something that has no needles to spare. Why not a warm blanket instead? My grandmother was amazing. She was also known for mixing up common expressions in an oh so charming way. ” If she knew her philosophy of life was now a part of the katherineemmons.com blog, she would remark in this fashion: “why if I were alive today, I would be stirring in my grave.” Think about that one….
ann