THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, December 25, 1995 TAG: 9512220160
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: HOLIDAY ESSAY CONTEST
LENGTH: Long : 158 lines
Amid the lights of Hanukkah menorahs and the twinkling lights on Christmas trees, more than 250 people found the time and imagination to write stories about the people who light their lives during the holiday season. . . and all year 'round.
That glorious commandment - honor thy father and mother - lay at the heart of so many of those tales, which drew vivid pictures of parents and grandparents working busily to create a joyous holiday. You told us about other people - spouses, friends and once-met strangers - whose spirit and actions teach important lessons about generosity, hope and love.
We hope these stories of holiday heroes, a small sampling of the wonderful array that came to our mailbox, will give you inspiration during this season. Happy holidays! WINNER - ADULT ENTRIES Martha White, Virginia Beach
In my 45 years, I had never cried when I opened a Christmas gift. But last Christmas I understood the crying phenomena - it happens when a gift touches you so swiftly and so precisely that you almost have an out-of-body experience. This Christmas magic is the stuff of 1950s movies and O'Henry short stories. Those of us who struggle to make a living with no margin for extras know it can't happen often. You work very hard for very little with very few surprises . . . or so I thought.
Enter my husband, Lamar, eternally mindful of my dreams of Paris, working three jobs to hold body and soul together. Waiter, desk clerk, and motel night auditor - a numbing routine even for a man younger than his 57 years.
On that Christmas morning, I regarded the Saks Fifth Avenue box with a sort of detached and abstract curiosity, thinking mostly in terms of how much I would enjoy what had to be a key chain from this famous New York store. But there was a glossy black box within the next, and I beheld a pair of real Chanel earrings - gleaming and pristine. I didn't need a simultaneous interpreter to realize how many sleepless nights in a motel lobby those earrings translated into for Lamar. The gift was deliciously and audaciously out of proportion to what he could afford. It was very simple - Lamar had exchanged sleep to bring Paris to me.
That Christmas morning was a moment when you understand everything all at once - sort of like seeing the whole view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower. I saw that this man, whom I love so much, runs totally on heart with very little cooperation from the material world. I remembered our friend Catherine's comments to me about Lamar's virtue, ``He's solid gold, Martha.'' Yes, Catherine, as solid gold as those Chanel earrings from Paris.
Sometimes when you see a person's heart, the view can be even more beautiful than Paris itself.
Winner - Martha White, Virginia Beach RUNNER-UP - ADULT ENTRIES Wanda S. Taylor, Chesapeake
Like most 6-year-olds at Christmas, I was sure Santa had been invented just for me. I had a list of toys I wanted from him a foot long. My parents always seemed to see that my wish list was satisfied. I didn't think about other children. My needs were the important thing.
What a shock therefore, when my mother announced one Saturday that we were going to buy Christmas gifts for the family who lived ``out the road'' from us. What, I thought? Buy them presents, with my money? I didn't even like these kids. There were five of them, always coming to school all ragged, sticking to themselves, everyone laughing at them. And here was my mother talking about buying them gifts. What was wrong with her?
We went to the local 5-and-10 store and picked out gifts I would have hated anyone to have gotten me - a mirror and brushset, a T-shirt and stationery were items I remember. We wrapped them and proceeded to their house on Christmas Eve.
When my mother and I walked in, I was shocked. Where were all the presents, the Christmas tree, the decorations? Instead, I saw a stick stuck in a bucket. The decorations were scraps of colored paper. But most of all I noticed there were no presents.
My mother proceeded to hand over our presents to their mom and chitchat about the weather. Can you see it, I wanted to scream, they don't have anything that looks like Christmas around here. My mom was acting like nothing was wrong, just talking. The children were sticking their heads around the corners . . . scared?, shy?, embarrassed? I couldn't move, I just stared. My mom was still busy talking. She must not have noticed. We stayed only a couple of minutes. It felt like an hour. When we got the car, I saw my mother was crying. She had noticed. We didn't talk. I knew how she felt. I wanted to take every toy I had and give it to those kids. I didn't. But I remember my mom, the Christmas hero who taught me the real meaning of Christmas.
Runner up - Wanda S. Taylor, Chesapeake WINNER - YOUTH ENTRIES Keith Radke, 15, Chesapeake
WHILE LIVING IN HAWAII during Christmas 1993, my parents weren't able to afford many gifts for our family of seven because of their tight budget. We wanted a Christmas tree, so Dad agreed that we could have one if the price was $15 or less. After hours of searching, we were frustrated to find that a nice tree could cost $40 to $120! On our way home, we stopped to make a final attempt at a lot we hadn't tried, but we saw the prices were as high as before. Disappointed, we began to leave, but the attendant stopped my dad. After finding out how many children he had, told us she had also come from a large family, so she said we could any tree on the lot for $15! I don't remember her name, but I won't forget her act of kindness, when many don't even know why they celebrate Christmas.
Winner - Keith Radke, Chesapeake, 15 RUNNER-UP - YOUTH ENTRIES Treshon Scott, 15, Franklin
GRANDMA IS MY holiday hero. She has many reasons and certain features that make her the person she is. When God put her on earth he did a very good job. Grandma is kind, sweet and also stands for what is right. She's just a plain, old, good woman.
She is a short, heavy-set woman around 5 feet tall, wears glasses and has medium long curly hair and dark skin. She loves to cook especially on holidays. Grandma is very handy with knits and crochets. Her babydolls are the cutest things on earth and her Afghans are very creative and warm. She keeps her house nice and clean as much as possible, but it is hard when working night shift.
Why is she so special? She is special because she is the backbone of the family. She has high self-
esteem and can't be brought down easily. That is one reason she is looked up to. Despite the family feuds and emergencies, she is there to hold everyone together. She is not scared of anyone and stands up to anyone who treats her wrong with pride.
Christmas time is when the family really needs her. When my cousin and I are getting too materialistic, she always puts us in place by letting us know that Christmas is not just receiving but, giving.
Christmas is when families come together and share love with each other. Grandma's house is the hot spot around Christmas. A visit to Grandma's is always enjoyable, and I hope for many more with Grandma. Without Grandma, things wouldn't be the same.
I thank Grandma for all the insight she's given me to become a better person. I love her with all my heart. Merry Christmas, Grandma!!!
Runner up - Treshon Scott, Franklin, 15 MEMO: MORE READERS' STORIES ANOUT THEIR HOLIDAY HEROES ON PAGE E4
ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]
CHARLIE MEADS
The Virginian-Pilot
Martha White's husband, Lamar, who works three jobs taught her the
true meaning of Christmas.
RICHARD L. DUNSTON
The Virginian-Pilot
Wanda S. Taylor, with her son "A.C.," 7, learned Christmas was about
giving when she was a 6-year-old.
RICHARD L. DUNSTON
The Virginian-Pilot
Two years ago, a woman's act of kindness enabled Radke and his
family to have a Christmas tree.
TAMARA VONINSKI
The Virginian-Pilot
Scott describes his grandmother, Edna Holloway, as "the backbone of
the family ."
KEYWORDS: HOLIDAY MEMORIES by CNB