Perry Como's Olde English Christmas

My husband and I sat down to watch a little television tonight. After an afternoon of football, he sweetly asked me what I would like to watch. Almost without any hint of sarcasm, I replied almost loudly: Perry Como's Christmas Special! While I have been longing for some traditional Christmas cheer, and the family television seems endlessly occupied with the NFL, it was a bold declaration. It came without forethought-or did it? Inside my memory bank there is a dusty vault I really want to open. I know that inside there are beautiful things I haven't seen in a long time. Feelings I haven't experienced in a long time are niggling to be brought to the fore.

I want to feel the warm embrace of familiarity from Grandma's house. When I was there, I never feared that someone would be rude or push us kids aside. We were important. We were the reason for so many of the plans that had been made.

Perry gave his heart and voice to the conveyance of traditional Christmas beliefs. Even though our church did not frame them in the same way or promote identical imagery, we felt the silent night just as much. His gifts were being laid on the altar with great respect. We received more than music in the process.

Whenever I hear or see anything to do with Perry Como, my memories somehow always flash back to my childhood and his beautiful Christmas shows from the early 1970's, allowing me to somehow relive my childhood innocence. I vividly recall those old times when on Christmas day, these shows would always be televised and somehow they would also help create memories of precious quality time once shared with close family and friends.

Sadly, these type of family viewing shows have become extinct, due to changing fads and deteriorating family values, becoming far too common in the modern world. I may have been 11 or 12 when I recall this particular special being televised and somehow I do get teary when I reflect on times once shared with those who are now no longer with us.

I won't single out this particular special from all the other Perry Como shows as they were all exceptionally good, however, this one had an English feel to it. I recall Petula Clark or any of his guests were ever so perfect for the atmosphere of the show

Perry Como had a certain brilliance about him and was always very modest in his typical cardigan outfit,with a welcoming feeling to the audience, always smiling and allowing them to feel part of his show as opposed to being just spectators.

Twenty seven years later, Christmas is again some three weeks away and although I am privileged to be part of it, I do feel so much emptiness, which somehow not only deprives me of sharing it with those dearly departed family and friends, but I am certain that the television stations will not be showing anything like those old Perry Como Christmas specials.