All the Places to Love.

 
Scared and sacred are spelled with the same letters. Awful proceeds from the same root word as awesome. Terrify and terrific. Every negative experience holds the seed of transformation.
And with time, things change on their own. Time changes places, feelings, thoughts, and people. People change places, they change style, and they change each other.  In all of the mess, the people, the places, the things, and the thoughts, good can be taken and given to and from it all. There are many settings in this world that can undergo such an impact. To one, some places may be seemingly insignificant. To another, the places may mean more than the rampant facade.

The crucible setting is not idealistic. In my mind, Salem is dismal. There is always contention in the air. Selfishness leaving a prevalent impression. Almost like a disease. One's own self being the first on the mind. The time was a rough one. The fear of the future, struggle for a new colony, and the discovering of right and wrong a constant reminder of the past and present circumstances. The battle of the individual fought far too often. The fight against brother and friend, fought with too much ferocity. The war for hope and faith left behind in a distant past. Salem is far from the idealized home town. 

Of all the settings to love, picture this: you wake up. You're extremely excited. It's already 5:15. How could you have slept so late? You almost leap out of bed, then tip-toe into the living room. Peaking around the corner, your heart stops for a split second. The ornaments on the ever green: luminescent. Glowing red, green, and gold. Making your own heart warm with anticipation. Santa has been there. There, under the tree, many presents. If only there is one with your name it. 
This is Christmas. An experience viewed from the eyes of a child. Christmas is magical. When you defiantly plod of to bed, the trunk of the tree can be easily seen. The stockings hang limp over the fireplace. When you wake up, the tree trunk is no longer bear, and the stockings too full to hang on the mantle.
I'm told that one person made Christmas even more magical. I'm told that Grandma Shirlene knew how to do Christmas. They say there were always carols, cards, and stories, complete with gingerbread houses. No, not gram crackers, but, real ginger bread. She made a whole town every Christmas she could. The presents were present. Christmas with Grandma Shirlene was something to be remembered. She focused on the part that mattered. The love in the air could always be felt. Especially at Christmas with Grandma.

Content and contention have the same beginnings. Oppression and impression a lasting effect. Places change people. Negative things make a positive change in the refugee that knows what not to want. You make the best out of your circumstances before they get the best out of you.