Hello. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a most prosperous and peace-filled New Year.
Indeed, much of the "holiday season" is simply commercialism and hype, but it's up to every individual to internalize that which they will....and the rest, let it drift away, as just so much mist.
My good wishes and calm resolve to your mother.
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Replying to:
It Christmas time! Well sort of ... the men walking in front of my house, dressed in jet black, wearing over coats (even in summer) and those distinctive hats, with just a hint of prayer shawl showing will have other ideas. My Brothers wife, the Jehova's Witness won't do anything special December 25th. Some will go to church and some will go to a bar, each trying to make a statement. The Mass Media will run endless commercials on what to buy even as the entertainers will put on skits making fun of gift giving .
More then anything Christmas will not be ignored - even if it means a protest on what it should or shouldn't be. The streets around here are decorated with rather large "thingies" that remind me of the floats I used to see at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Center except these are brightly painted. They have to be a bit large and grotesque since the drunk drivers plow into them like gigantic socker balls. The ALCU will find much to file lawsuits over so you can decide rather to support them or the local Rescue Mission's turkey dinners or Dr. Kennedy's plan to saturate America with his "What if Jesus had never been born" television special.
Why do I find this all cynically amusing? Because I have been immersed in the dieing for the past three years and it has been sort of touch-and-go for much longer then that. The very idea of the "true meaning of Christmas" is a contradiction of terms. If Christmas means anything it is or should be perpetuality and universal. What good is one day or peace and joy for one group and 363 days of something else for the rest ?
Christmas like many things will only be fullfilled when it makes itself obsolete. Untill then .......
I will observe and try not to laugh. The snow, mistle tow, reindeer and pine trees go perfectly with the manger scene, camels, palm trees and warm Mediterainean climate. The perfumed oils and Three Wise Men are not incongruent with Old Quaker Rye whiskey. Kids on Santa's lap and seniors in wheel chairs are the order of the day .Praying and drinking are just two of our abilities as are many others. Not the least of which is agonizing - something I hope I can dispense with over the holidays.
Only a few more days to go and my Mother can experience her 90th Christmas! If I can keep her alive just a few more days .....and happy too .......
