Christmas 2016

Christmas these days is kind of like going on a vacation to a sunny beach if you’re originally from the north. You see all these pictures and videos of people having fun and only have a week and you have to rush from “fun to fun.” After all you paid your money damn it and everybody says it’s a blast so ya gotta go. Every day and every minute.  But, the truth is somehow it’s just not quite matching up to the reality of it.

 It’s not that the beach isn’t pretty and the ocean isn’t awesome. It’s just that I don’t have time to “look and ponder it.” I gotta rush and have fun don’tcha know?  Christmas is kind of like that. I see it on t.v. The gorgeous white bread or Cosby families with happy smiles and toys piled high and driving  the brand new vehicle to grandma’s house over the snow.

Now, I’m southern so driving over the snow hasn’t been much of an issue in my life during Christmas. But, the snow on T.V. is never slick. Nobody runs off the road and nobody worries if they can afford the heat or groceries next week. Now, I’m not saying I want to see a commercial about poverty. I’m like everybody else. Maybe if I don’t look at it it’ll go away. But, still. If you’ve lost someone and if maybe Aunt Alice is really not jolly this year and forgot to watch for that patch of ice and broke her hip…well that’s not the American dream either. 

Hey, remember that time the Brady Bunch had a death in the family and Carol had a spot on her breast and they didn’t have medical insurance? Oh, me neither.  But, remember that time the Cosby kids were having to duck behind the couch right in the middle of the Christmas meal because the gang bangers were shooting up into the sky because it was cooler than fireworks and Rudi got wounded?

Oh yeah, right. Me neither.

So, all I’m saying is it’s great to post how happy you are on facebook. Although, I really don’t care if you had taco’s before bed last night. Someone, somewhere might. It’s not hurting anyone that’s for sure.

But, if like me this season brings some bittersweet memory and you at times just wish it would be over. If you wonder why all your friends on facebook have the biggest, bestest, greatest families and relationships  ever. If you wonder when that old friend from school that wasn’t born rich or snotty became such a comfortable religious cold hearted conservative or the formerly conservative type who loved Jesus became a know it all liberal pompous ass. Well, I wonder myself. 

So, from my scroogy little heart I say Bah Humbug. But, from my inner soul I say Thank God for another year. Another day. Another chance to get it right or at least better. So, celebrate family and loved ones and friends. Even celebrate what you had for dinner last night and I’ll be glad to look at the screen shot of your coffee shop Pumpkin Spice Caramel Swirl Latte. J

But, my heart goes out to those who are lost (not in a religious sense) this year and this season. Those who don’t have cousins by the dozens and Christmas hams. Those who miss a touch or smile and long  to just “go back” for a minute.

God Bless you. God bless us everyone.

Peace.