December 2003

Happy Holidays
by JJ Oakley

Christmas has come once again. For this writer it will mark the 50th time. Reflecting on Christmas past brings to mind all those associated joys, and traditions revisited every year.

This is the time for eggnog, White Christmas, Wizard Of Oz, The Grinch, Rudolph, A Christmas Story ' you will shoot your eye out.' Frosty, and of course Mr. Bailey's daughter saying, "every time a bell rings an angel get his wings." All those classic TV specials we grew up watching.

For this house it is also time to pull out the blue lights, as this writer refers " the blue light special'. Each year the ritual of dragging out about 3,000 blue, outside lights which adorn the house for the season. It is not too far from that Chevy Chase Christmas vacation look around here. It still astounds me that so many lights, now matter how you put them up; still come out in a rubix cube quagmire that would task even the best jigsaw puzzle solvers.

Yes, all that mad last minute shopping, and careful wrapping of gifts, placed so Martha Stewart under the tree; only to become a pile of trash that challenges the sanitation engineers each year. Isn't it amazing how this takes place in about twenty minutes?

This is the time of year that Dad always replenishes his stock in socks, tee shirts, underwear, slippers, and splash on classics; Brut, Old Spice, Canoe, and English Leather. Not to forget the wallet, and fruitcake, which makes for a great boat anchor.

All the business attempts to change their yearly numbers into the black, and a small forest of Spruce, and Fir trees are culled for adornment I am still amazed to watch the folks here in town as they plunder through the stores looking for those 24th specials as if they were on a seek and destroy mission. It is the time for credit card holders to draw their Visa, Master card, American Express, and other cards like hot pistols looking at another site picture. The Banks have a most festive time as well full knowing that they will gain 20% on each present bought.

Yes, from now until the 25th folks will enter the highest stress time of the year. All in the name of Christmas, with the culmination of about half an hour to ravage the work tediously laid out for just that purpose. Mom and Dad are now exhausted, as their last vacation of the year sucks the life's blood from their very bodies, with full knowledge that the next year will be taken up paying for this day, and preparing to do it again.

I love to drive the city and look at the homes that go all out with their own festival of lights. You know the famous ones where you live. Now these folks must start this process in the middle of November, and we all can't wait to see what Tim the tool man, of the community as done this year to dazzle and amaze.

Looking past that; There are many of us, myself include who still consider this their favorite time of year. Go figure? The magic of Santa Clause still holds a dear spot in this writers heart. The wonder Christmas meaning and roots, as so eloquently describe in all its versions on the History, and Learning Channels. Some of use fondly reflect on the special times of our youth, when all was right with the world. Looking and hoping for Santa to arrive so that we may catch a glimpse of that old milk and cookie, reindeer riding fellow.

Well my friends and readers...'ONCE AGAIN INTO THE BREECH'. It's Christmas and this is the best life I ever lived.