No, I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth. I'm just a little tired. I guess that thousand-word missive on McCain-Feingold took a lot out of me. I'm also experiencing a bit of whiplash. Earthquake! Orange Alert! Mad Cow Disease! Letterman in Iraq! Anniversary of Laci Peterson disappearance! Last week of school (for me)! Oh, and most importantly, Christmas!
You see my point.
Christmas. The celebration of the birth of the Savior of mankind? Or the mad frenzy to get gifts for those special somebodies?
Don’t worry. I’m not about to launch into tirade about the commercialization of Christmas. I’m far too capitalistic for that. It’s just that the manifestations of the Christmas brand of capitalism wear me out: shopping, crowds, awful traffic. I sent my sisters’ children a few things—via the Internet--and will likely send them some more things after the Big Day. (The gift that is unexpected is the best; and the less expensive too, after the 25th.) I’ve been like this every Christmas of my adulthood. I mostly just want it to be over.
Having been a de facto only child for the first nine years of my life, I can clearly recall the days when all of the presents under the tree were for me. While that was pretty cool for one of psychopathic tendencies—as most rug rats are--now, few or none of them are for me and I like it just fine that way. Though I despise shopping, I love giving, simply because it feels better. That look, that smile, that ripping off the paper, that “thank you, Auntie Juliette” are the best gifts that I’ve ever received.
However, I did get a gift for this Christmas. My friend that’s stationed in Iraq sent me a “Merry Christmas” e-mail. Getting a hello from someone you’ve known for fifteen years is the kind of gift I cherish.
So, from a woman with Scrooge-like tendencies, gratitude emerges. I’m very grateful for the gifts I take for granted as well as the ones unlooked for. I hope you, Good Readers, are as well.
Merry Christmas to all. Oh, and remember: be not afraid. That's what they want.
MORE: Let me not forget my Jewish friends: Happy Hanukkah!
