RAH RAH RAH !

Don't tell anyone, but I look forward to the end of the "holiday season". I start looking for its finish line way before anyone that I know. Really. I begin looking forwards towards the end of it a week or two leading into Thanksgiving Day. If this country observed The Epiphany, as it is done in many others, the stretch would be extended one entire week.

Puuulleeeese.

Why do I feel this way?

Because, I'm no longer a child and I'm very far removed from that point in my life. Because, many of the faces and players from holidays past are no longer around. Because, I know about Santa. Because, of the weeks of advertisements in print and outdoor, on radio and television that perpetuate an ideal that is unattainable. Because, of the increased automobile traffic. Because, of the mindlessly insincere and the rote robotic manner that people greet and part ways with well wishes through these weeks.

No Grinch or Scrooge here, really. I guess that the season could be truly terrible, as it is for countless others around the world. I read the papers you know. Bombs and guns. Sickness and poverty. Homelessness and natural disasters. Self combustion and cannibalism. I'm very fortunate that I've not been touched by any of that or worst. My immediate family is very fortunate also.

It has come to pass that I have a beautiful wife. We have two children; a beautiful 8 year old daughter and a handsome 6 year old son. We live in a nice house, on a nice street in a very nice town (that's what people tell me). I have a job that allows for a mom to shepherd full time and make a home. One that I look forward to come to everyday. There are only two drivers in our household, but if a car were to need repairs, there would still be two people driving. I'm reminded of that Talking Heads song "Once In A Lifetime" from that campy 80's movie "Down and Out in Beverly Hills". I, however, am far from being the character of David Whiteman and my environment is very far from that point also.

So, I have much to be thankful for and I think about that practically every day. Every new year is happy and every new year is relatively prosperous. I'm convinced about that.

I carry Christmas cheer with me all year long. I'll humor someone every day. Perhaps I'll do something nice for someone or get someone something they did not expect. Little things you know. Please and Thank You's. A phone call to someone who did not expect my call. Touching base or sending something to someone I haven't seen in 25 years; after having something come up one day that reminded me about that person and our relationship back then. Drop e-mails or enclose an item in the mail...even if it's to my wife.

Wait until Thanksgiving to be thankful? Wait until Christmas to be charitable? Wait until New Year's Day to be cheerful?

BAH, HUMBUG!!

*!*

posted by JerryNJ @ 11:05 PM