Bob's Corner
From our weekly issue dated December 16, 2009
Ah, Christmas — the season of frantic efforts to finish shopping and wrapping gifts, getting and decorating a Yule tree, planning that special holiday meal, maybe having or attending Christmas parties, not overeating or drinking too much spiked eggnog, getting together with family, and on and on.
Can be difficult to maintain a Ho-Ho-Ho attitude in the face of so much stress. Sometimes we lose our happy outlook, and our Ho-Ho-Ho becomes No-No-No. Or Ay, Ay, Ay. The “holiday season” is supposed to be a joyful time, depending on many factors.
Christians revere it as an occasion to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ. Others are more inclined toward marking it as the birth of Santa Claus. Still others, because of their religion or personal inclinations, might see it as simply a time of colored lights. It’s all quite personal, and we should respect however someone else feels about the occasion.
Ye olde editor remembers Christmas Past as a time of celebrating the birth of a savior, plus a visit from jolly St. Nick. That’s my background; the one given my younger brother, Steve, and I by our late parents. I remember how difficult it was to wait for them to get up on Christmas morning so we could rip into our presents. My bro and I would be up by 5 a.m. Mom & Dad might struggle out of bed by around 7. Then they had to fix coffee and take care of other morning stuff while Steve and I suffered, as we struggled with being patient.
Once we began opening packages, one at a time while the rest of family watched, Mom would make note of which relatives gave what gifts so that “Thank you” cards could be sent. Dad, meanwhile, was busily making sure that there would be no wrapping debris on the living room carpet. He was a neat-nik. And both parents tried to ensure that we saved all the wrapping paper, boxes and bows that could be used next year.
I always enjoyed some gifts more than others. My favorite: Electric model trains, of course. Followed by any other sort of fun items, including model airplane kits, Tonka toys, squirt guns, plastic soldiers, board games, cap pistols, Lincoln Logs and Erector Sets.
Least-favorite gifts: shirts, socks and pants. Absolutely least-favorite present: underwear! I know we had to wear it (still do), but as a Christmas gift, it seemed way out of line.
We’re in the holiday season; let’s have a holiday mood. I hope that we can relax; and avoid anxiety, tension, hassles and other such trauma. Let us strive for a cool Yule while avoiding brain strain. And whether you subscribe to Christ’s Mass or not, let us enjoy our friends and family in a spirit of happiness. That would be a gift even better than model trains.
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