Harry Connick Jr. - When My Heart Finds Christmas (H. Connick Jr.) ~ Erwin Lazaro 049

Love.

When I was a child, my Grandpa Luis and my Grandma Beatriz were the lifelines that bound our family together.  They lived with us during that time; my Auntie Marissa, also.  We shared meals; AT THE SAME TIME, sitting at the dining table, TOGETHER.  After our meals, adults would sit in the living room and simply enjoy conversation. Though, if the Boston Celtics were on TV, forget the conversations; plenty of time for talking; LATER!  My dad and grandma were huge Larry Bird fans. I guess I can count yelling at the TV, as conversation.  Though, be it, one-sided!  Those times represent the reason why I understand Tagalog (not the yelling part, the other parts).  ;)  No one made plans to be at our home.  No one had to MAKE time to come over.  We were all happy being together.

I miss those casual times spent with my family.  You know, the time when you can sit and chat about everything and anything, without having to look at your watch.  Within my area, my dad; my sister and family; my uncles; my aunts; my cousins; my nephews; my nieces; we all live within one hour driving distance from one another.  Yet, our daily lives keep us apart.  As we get older and our respective families grow, our social needs take a backseat to the daily grind.  No, it’s more like the trunk!  The current economic environment also exacerbates the situation.  For many, circumstances surrounding money will continue to weigh heavily, and shackle all thoughts and actions.  It makes me sad.  This scenario may be true for many families, which saddens me even further.  What can we do?  What do we do?

Throughout this year, some smaller groups of our family network did manage to get together for some occasions.  Our family Thanksgiving Celebration was the first time, all year, that I can recall when a good number of our family spent quality time in one place.  My Auntie Marissa was our family cheerleader this year, continually and tirelessly rallying our family troops.  She made great efforts.  Thanks, Auntie Marissa!  My Auntie Marissa has the Spirit that inspires me.  She is a role model; reminding me that time continues to march forward.  We’re not getting any younger and the most valuable social experiences we should have are simply slipping away.  My Auntie Marissa is NOT going to stand for THAT!  Our family is INCREDIBLY lucky to have her Spirit to remind us.  We all need to step up and flow with her enthusiasm! That includes me!  I am not discounting, or forgetting all of my family, AROUND THE WORLD.  You know who you are! =)  I would love to spend quality time with ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!  As we know, it’s just not possible.  When Star Trek’s transporter beam becomes a reality, and cost-effective, new doors will literally open for high quality social time!  Until then, the distance thing is a difficult one to overcome.

Here we are coming upon another Christmas celebration.  It is a Holy Day of Obligation for
Christians.  It is a family day of duty.  How about considering Christmas as a day of Preference?  How about considering Christmas as a family day of CHOICE?  Isn’t that a novel idea?  I have to admit that my troop of five (which includes me) spends more time preparing and acting upon plans, for Christmas day, than actually sitting in one place and enjoying the spirit of the people who are present.

I believe that “When My Heart Finds Christmas”refers to the Spirit and Love, of Christmas, the Spirit and Love, of the people, with whom, and for whom, we celebrate. I’ve captured lots of family memories during Christmas, but the imagery for this video skews the true intentions for those times.  Some may imprint on materialism and plastic intentions, thus frowning upon my presentation.  Instead, I’m hoping that the music will guide ALL attention upon the faces and the gathering of loved ones, in one place, for a common purpose.  Please, look beyond the presents, look at the people, and enjoy the Spirit for which Christmas represents.  

From Wikipedia:
When My Heart Finds Christmas is American artist Harry Connick, Jr.'s first Christmas album, released in 1993.  Harry Connick Jr. composed 4 songs for the album: "When My Heart Finds Christmas", "(It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus", "The Blessed Dawn Of Christmas Day" and "I Pray On Christmas".