# How I found Christmas **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 24, 2005, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-found-christmas/337064 "2005-12-24T07:17:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DrLoveGun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@DrLoveGun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrLoveGun)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-found-christmas/337064/1 "2005-12-24T07:17:45Z")
Last night was awful. There is no other word for it. I didn’t feel like I was in the Christmas Spirit at all, and I didn’t want to do any of the stuff I usually enjoy. And there was much fighting and yelling. It was not a good scene. So I left, not sure where I was going, or if and when I was coming back. I just had to go. So I got in the car. I started wandering south down El Camino Real, towards San Jose. Somewhere I missed a turn, and the next thing I know, I’m staring at a park, all decorated up with a gorgeous Christmas village. I had to stop the car and look at this. It was truely a site to behold. There were tons of people, walking, laughing and enjoying being with each other in this place. And it hit me really hard, especially given how tumultous my life has been this year. I broke down on the side of the road in tears, just standing there, watching this scene. I don’t know how long he had been there watching me, he was just at the edge of my peripheral vision. But suddenly there was a hand on my shoulder. I turned to look and it was an older guy, probably in his late 50s, most likely homeless by the look of him. Long stringy hair, think grey beard, and not exactly what I would call clean. He looked at me and asked me why I was crying. I fell apart, I dumped two years of built up, pent up crap on this complete stranger, sobbing the entire time. When I was done, he looked me right in the eye, and told me I was an asshole. But then he asked me “is she still at home?” I assumed she was and said yes. His response was “then she still loves you, go home.” I looked back at the village and the people one last time, turned to say something to him, but he was gone. But there was my Christmas…and something else I think. Can’t say I’m perfect, but I know that I am where I belong, and I’m with who I should be with. And I’m in the spirit of the season. And that’s what matters most. So I hope everyone has a Merry or Happy whatever you celebrate. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-found-christmas/337064/2 "2005-12-24T07:23:55Z")
No one’s perfect. But we all deserve what peace can be found at this time of year. Best of the Season to you, **DrLoveGun**. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-found-christmas/337064/3 "2005-12-24T07:24:52Z")
{{{hugs}}} ---
**Author:** ![gommsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bcef8e/32.png) [@gommsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gommsn)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-found-christmas/337064/4 "2005-12-24T10:52:22Z")
That’s a powerful story. Made me mist up a little when reading it. ( Hey, I’m a guy, we’re not supposed to do that, right?) You sound like Scrooge on Christmas morning. You are a very fortunate man. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!! ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-found-christmas/337064/5 "2005-12-24T18:03:45Z")
So, have you heard a bell ring since he disappeared? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-found-christmas/337064/6 "2005-12-24T23:31:47Z")
Ever listen to _A Fairytale Of New York_? I think it’s the best Christmas song ever written. It’s a dialog between a couple who hate each other. It started well, a loving pair enjoying Christmas in New York. But they fell out of love. (‘You scumbag! You maggot! You cheap, lousy faggot! “Happy Christmas” your arse. I pray God it’s our last.’) By the end they realise how much they still love each other. You’re lucky in that you have someone to go back to. Best of luck, and let us know how it all came out. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-found-christmas/337064/7 "2005-12-25T02:20:56Z")
I thought your wife converted to Judaism to marry you? ---
**Author:** ![DrLoveGun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@DrLoveGun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrLoveGun)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-found-christmas/337064/8 "2005-12-25T15:13:32Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > I thought your wife converted to Judaism to marry you? No, she had converted to Judaism several years before we got back together. I was raised Anglican and having a hard time feeling Christmasy. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-found-christmas/337064/9 "2005-12-25T18:44:40Z")
What a beautiful story! God go with you, and Merry Christmas. 🙂