THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

(Listen to the song; #8 on TO SEE THE CHILD)

1982 -  Memories of that little house on 45th street range from wild and crazy to powerful and anointed. Out my back door was an alley that led to University Avenue in all her inner-city glory; complete with dive bars, porno shops and multi-ethnic restaurants. Marjo’s was a little diner where I ate nearly every day. But the closest restaurant was somewhat famous with the vegetarian set called The Prophet. The back door of the place also opened up onto my alley, so I got to know many of the workers who were mostly all Rastafarians. By Christmas of 1982, I was living alone and during the holidays of that year,homesickness set in with a vengeance. When I got a package from my parents with gifts and homemade cookies and fudge, I felt lonelier than ever. The song was meant to tell my parents how much the little things they did meant to me. But I didn’t finish it for another year and to this day I don’t think they’ve ever heard it. The bridge was inspired by a picture of my friend Greg Spaulding holding a sign that read “Colorado” when he decided to hitchhike back to Maine. The highway I talk about is the road I was on by deciding to stay and make a life so far away from home. And also the road to spiritual truth and back to the proverbial garden as Cosby Stills and Nash put it.I was still jamming with Mark Crafford and one day I remember asking him how long he’d been going to Skyline. “Oh I don’t go to Skyline; I was just visiting when I met you” he replied. I asked him where he went to church and he told me he was going to College Center Covenant Church. “It’s not so much the church I go for, but this guy Mark Hoffman is youth leader over there. He’s the best bible teacher I’ve ever met. In fact if he up and moved to Alaska, I’d follow him there!” Wow, I thought, I’ve gotta meet this guy. The first meeting I went to, however Mark was absent and his new wife Linda was leading the meeting. I recognized instantly that she was the genuine article! And her  background was similar to mine; coming from a large Catholic family. So she knew where I was at spiritually I think. The only thing more I remember about that meeting was the feeling that I had found my new family! So I started going to the youth group at CCCC. The church was just off College Ave at the top of the hill North of University; so it was pretty close for me. They also owned a house across the street which was used as a  youth building. I knew I was in the right place when I went there for the first time and they had a Foosball table. Of course I demolished everyone! That’s where I met Dan Deyling, Dan Lundgren, Mike Whalen, Peter Featherhoff, Cassie Price and so many others. They were the ones that demonstrated the true Christian lifestyle to me and helped me walk away from the life of debauchery I was holding on to. And now onto the song….

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
© 1982 Words & Music by Reginald M. Michaud  

You, I got your package today. And you, know it just blew me away
Cause I’m living just too far away. I’m crying for leaving this holiday season

Life, sometimes it gets in the way Of love and washes my feelings away
So I’m feeling quite guilty today While memories are reeling this holiday season

Standing alone on the edge of the freeway
With a sign in my hand to let them know where I’m bound
It’s a highway of hope in a season of failure
Cause the man in the lead put a dream into my heart
We’re not alone. Now and then I need reminding
We’re not alone; even when we’re far from home
You’re not alone, though the miles between are blinding
You’re not alone even when you’re far from home

Joy, ain’t that what Christmas should be; Love, giving and harmony
Christ, birthing a new family; I’m tired of grieving this holiday season

Standing alone on the edge of the freeway
With a sign in my hand to let them know where I’m bound
It’s a highway of hope in a season of failure
Cause the man in the lead put a dream into my heart
We’re not alone. Now and then I need reminding
We’re not alone; even when we’re far from home
You’re not alone, though the miles between are blinding
You’re not alone even when you’re far from home; You're not alone