Shauna and I just returned from visiting my parents in Buffalo for the American Thanksgiving holiday, and every year that holiday seems to have more meaning for me. As I and my immediate family sat down for Thanksgiving dinner, around the table at which I’d had the good fortune to eat my supper for well over forty years, I was profoundly aware of all of my blessings. I rarely give toasts, but this year I did, and I expressed my gratitude for those blessings. On top of the freedom to live in a Democratic society, and the good fortune to be healthy, and the love of my family … how much better does it get than to be able to share a celebration with four generations of my family? My parents were at the table, and we also had a great grandchild celebrating Thanksgiving with us this year (see photo above).
When I was younger, it seemed as if the starting gun for Christmas “cheer” began the day after the American Thanksgiving. These days, and I use as my barometer the displays at the Huntsville dollar store, the opening day for Christmas madness is sometime in late September. No sense in waiting until the last minute to buy that plastic Christmas wreath, or whatever other synthetic decoration you’ve had your eye on. While you’re at it, why not buy some Halloween candy, or perhaps a pair of leftover heart-shaped handcuffs (kinky eh?) from Valentine’s Day. You’re never too early to prepare for an upcoming holiday. The truth is, I feel as if the past year has flown so fast that all of these holidays are simply a blur on the swiftly passing landscape. I was down in Toronto to pick up some supplies several weeks ago, and I found a list on my desk of the staff in our apartment building to whom we gave holiday tips last year. Surely, much has happened since last Christmas, but when I see something I did a year ago, and it seems like a few weeks ago, understandably I feel temporally challenged.
When I was younger, it seemed as if the starting gun for Christmas “cheer” began the day after the American Thanksgiving. These days, and I use as my barometer the displays at the Huntsville dollar store, the opening day for Christmas madness is sometime in late September. No sense in waiting until the last minute to buy that plastic Christmas wreath, or whatever other synthetic decoration you’ve had your eye on. While you’re at it, why not buy some Halloween candy, or perhaps a pair of leftover heart-shaped handcuffs (kinky eh?) from Valentine’s Day. You’re never too early to prepare for an upcoming holiday. The truth is, I feel as if the past year has flown so fast that all of these holidays are simply a blur on the swiftly passing landscape. I was down in Toronto to pick up some supplies several weeks ago, and I found a list on my desk of the staff in our apartment building to whom we gave holiday tips last year. Surely, much has happened since last Christmas, but when I see something I did a year ago, and it seems like a few weeks ago, understandably I feel temporally challenged.
Of course, with Christmas "just around the corner", we have the flurry of holiday commercials to accompany it. Once again, I feel honor bound to point out that, in my estimation, a commercial depicting Santa shocked into unconsciousness by a couple of giant M&M candies is not a good thing for a child to see. Besides, who is going to want to eat the candy that gave Santa a heart attack? And do these candies even feel remorse? As I do every year around this time, I heartily recommend that you read a piece of work by my favorite comedic author, David Sedaris, entitled “SantaLand Diaries”. Though not the funniest thing Sedaris has ever written, that story fairly well sums up the Christmas spirit as I see it. I know it is available in one of his earlier books “Barrel Fever” but it may be available in cyberspace as well. Years ago, I heard Sedaris read the whole twisted story (really more of a mock journal) on public radio while I was driving in my car, and I almost ran off the road because I was convulsing in laughter. His irreverent observations still make me chuckle today. If the mistletoe mafia is bleeding you dry and you need to inject some desperately needed perspective into your holiday activities, I suggest that Mr. Sedaris’ humorous short story might just be the therapy you seek. Finally, I hope that, during this holiday season, you will find the time to re-connect with your families, and to remember that there is always something for which to be thankful. I for one have made some serious adjustments to my definition of good fortune -Written by Jamie Oppenheimer c2008 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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