The Holiday Season

I hate the holidays.

So do many other people. I think one's antipathy to the whole thing is in direct proportion to how unhappy the person is generally. If you are alone or ill, those feelings are magnified at this time of year, not only because you have to hear about all of the activities being done with family but because "family" things take precedence over "friend" things, so one is not only reminded that one doesn't have family but that others do and because of it, they are too busy to spend time talking or being with you. It's like a double whammy. One does not begrudge one's friends from having good things that one does not have, and that includes fancy cars, families, well prepared meals and so on.

One does, however, wish that a little light might be shone on our single friends who spend the holidays alone. Would one's grandmother or uncle really be offended if you took out five minutes to touch base with someone on Christmas Eve? Probably not. Especially since Grandpa or aunt Sue probably has not been there to hear about your work woes or marital strife.

This season, let's think a bit about those who are not perhaps family by blood but family by heart.