the truth is, i have yet to feel excited about the holiday season this year.
i wish that there wasn't such a stigma attached to the enjoyment that the holiday season *must* bring. i say that with experience, having already received sour looks after mentioning my state of indifference. i have my reasons. some people don't have the basic necessities to enjoy a christmas dinner with their families. even worse, some don't have their family to enjoy a dinner with. many are affected by depression, loneliness, poor health, and addiction, among other very hard things to overcome at this time of the year. i am so lucky to be living with a roof over my head, ample sources of food and clothing, and a family to celebrate with. people need to realize that our lives - normal people's lives - aren't like the canadian tire christmas commercials we have inundating our television programming. pep and cheer only go so far. one must have the strength to face the commercialization for the entire months of november & december. i know i'd rather do my shopping safely behind my computer screen than battling the throngs of sweaty, frustrated consumers.
when i hear a familiar tune accompanied by the words, "jingle bells, batman smells..." while i work, i feel compelled to turn my nose up at the very thought of christmas. holiday ads were on TV before we had a chance to recognize fallen soldiers on remembrance day. how can i not feel a bit like this holiday has turned into nothing but a money-making scheme?
"look charlie, let's face it. we all know that christmas is a big commercial racket. it's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know."
-lucy, a charlie brown christmasi have no time for the barenaked ladies singing distasteful carols, but i will always have a soft spot for schroeder's "beethoven christmas music". a charlie brown christmas is my favorite christmas movie, and most often, the only one i will watch. i have been brought up in a household that has always put emphasis on the true meaning of christmas. we have had the same faux tree since, well - before 1987. we hang the same ornaments, the same multi-coloured lights, the same topper. it isn't stylish, or trendy, and that's the way we do it at our place. in recent years, we have made it a tradition to serve christmas dinner to others that may be less fortunate or alone for christmas. and traditionally, when joy to the world would close christmas eve mass at sacred heart church, my grandpa would be peering down the pew to make sure the whole cotter clan was joining in. our "charlie brown" tree, serving christmas dinner, memories of joy to the world - these things make christmas truly special for me.
this post must sound angsty and negative. in fact, i am the opposite. i try to be a positive person on a day-to-day basis. you won't catch me without a grin very often. but this christmas, much like the last, is different for me, as i am coming to realize, and identify with, the struggles many have during the holiday season. i didn't write this for sympathy, please don't get me wrong. what i want is for my readers to take a moment and think about what makes christmas, or hanukkah, special for them. with the hustle and bustle of shopping, entertaining, cleaning, baking, and other -ings, those moments of solitude and reflection are easily lost.
i wish all of you a very safe and joyful holiday season. try to surround yourself with people you love, and keep an eye out for others who are struggling with this time of year. a small gesture, such as an understanding smile, may go a long way.
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