“Christmas Lights” Author Note

            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

2 Comments

  1. thank you for the christmas story and all your other stories i have read everyone i could get my hands on you are a wonderful story teller. I have enjoyed many hours and emotions with your words love paper angels cried the whole last chapter perfect hallmark material cant wait to see what they do with the movie congradulations on that blessed be and please keep those wonderful stories coming ellaine

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