Just a few last thoughts on this short story called “Christmas
Lights.” As I said, I got the idea behind this after working on Paper
Angels with Jimmy Wayne. But really, the
idea came to me after hearing Coldplay’s beautiful song released at the end of
2010. I’m going to share the lyrics here and highlight the places that helped
shape this story.
If
I had written this story back then, I think it would have been about a man
getting away from his family and going to have a drink. You end up discovering
the truth of why he’s so sad this Christmas day. The twist would be the same.
But it wouldn’t have the whole alcoholic-about-to-relapse element.
Stories—especially
those you really want to tell—stay with you until you either officially abandon
them on the side of the road or get them written. This year, the story began to
change as I thought of adding an element of Celebrate Recovery to it. The
stakes suddenly became higher for dear Arthur. I thought his visit to the pub could be
quite dangerous for him and his family.
One
final note—this wasn’t edited or proofread except by yours truly. Maybe I’ll
get those done and put this in an eBook for future Christmas holidays. I really
wanted to tell this story and share it with my devoted readers. I’d do a lot
more to say thanks if I could. For now, this will have to do.
I
love putting stories to songs. In a sense, I’ve been doing that my entire life.
Here
are those lyrics. Again, note the places I highlight.
“Christmas
Lights” by Coldplay
Christmas
night, another fight
Tears
we cried a flood
Got all kinds of poison in
Poison
in my blood
I
took my feet
To
Oxford Street
Trying
to right a wrong
Just
walk away
Those
windows say
But
I can't believe she's gone
When
you're still waiting for the snow to fall
Doesn't
really feel like Christmas at all
Up
above candles on air flicker
Oh
they flicker and they float
But
I'm up here holding on
To
all those chandeliers of hope
Like
some drunken Elvis singing
I
go singing out of tune
Saying
how I always loved you darling
And
I always will
Oh
when you're still waiting for the snow to fall
Doesn't
really feel like Christmas at all
Still
waiting for the snow to fall
It
doesn't really feel like Christmas at all
Those
Christmas lights
Light
up the street
Down
where the sea and city meet
May
all your troubles soon be gone
Oh
Christmas lights keep shining on
Those
Christmas lights
Light
up the street
Maybe
they'll bring her back to me
Then
all my troubles will be gone
Oh
Christmas lights keep shining on
Oh
Christmas lights
Light
up the street
Light
up the fireworks in me
May
all your troubles soon be gone
Those
Christmas lights keep shining on
