Article December 10, 2001 Issue

Christmas: a stillness within

By Cyril Rakhmanoff Contributing Editor

I REMEMBER THE STILLNESS on that Christmas day—so many years ago. It was early morning in our small Paris apartment; my two brothers and my parents were still asleep; and for the young boy that I was, it was a very memorable moment. I knew that soon there would be a flurry of activities, and this deep quietness seemed almost magical.

Of course I was excited about the day that was about to begin—the unwrapping of those mysterious presents at the foot of the Christmas tree, and the expectation of a day filled with laughter, games, and family togetherness. I can't remember what presents I received that year, but I can vividly remember the stillness, the warmth, and the peace.

Stillness, warmth, and peace are things we all enjoy and deserve. But terrorist attacks and threats make us feel that these are not always available. Just a few days ago a neighbor was telling me of her anxiety about having to fly to a family reunion in the Midwest. She then added, "The world has changed overnight; it no longer is the place we knew. It's scary to have our children grow up in this kind of world."

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