*Please note, the first four paragraphs were drafted before Snowpocalypse 2010...
Well, like it or not the Holiday season is upon us.
The glut of parties that occur on Halloween mark the beginning of the celebration season for me.
I am not sure what the difference is from a barbecue beer in August and sipping Witch's Brew at a Halloween party is. But it sure seems there is a general hankering for hanging-out come the official arrival of fall that Halloween represents.
Yet there are still the Bah Humbuggers...
It blows my mind that people view this time of year with disdain. Refrains of, “Is it really already Thanksgiving?” or “I can't believe they are already playing Christmas music,” ring throughout my office.
I am just not one of those people. I love the holidays, I love snow, I love the smell of pine in the living room and mulling spices wafting about the kitchen.
Given the recent blast of actual winter weather, this holiday disdain seems to have been transferred to snow. Which, given the traffic snarling nature of snow/ice here in Seattle, I can understand. However, I do not agree with the sentiment. Honestly, what's a few hours of PTO to have a carefree “snow day” that harkens back to your elementary school days?
I recently posted the following question on my Facebook page after seeing a rash of snow-hating posts: So are my friends really to that age? The "F this Damn Snow" age? I mean really? This stuff is AWESOME!
How many chances do you get to be a kid again? How many times do you see perfect strangers sledding together down a hill while sharing a lil “winter warmer”? How often do folks offer rides to perfect strangers as they trudge through the snow in sub-20-degree temperatures?
I have witnessed and/or been a party to all of the experiences listed above.
There is just a special sense in the air that seems to be more prevalent around the holidays. Perhaps it's the shorter days and colder nights. But there seems to be a greater sense of or longing for community during the winter.
Whether it be folks helping push a stranded car or a stranger buying a shot for a guy sitting by himself at the end of the bar. There is just a lightheartedness that is elicited by the holidays.
Just look at the pure joy on a toddlers face the first time they frolic in the snow. They don't care how cold it is, or how bad the traffic on the 405 is. They just know that the world is a quieter, gentler, more fun place.
Having been a “city boy” my entire life, I have always been enchanted by how quiet the world is when blanketed in snow. Especially when accompanied by wind, the only things audible are the slight crunch of snow beneath your feet and whistle of wind past your ears.
But I can see how snow, much like the holidays can become a burden when balanced with a full-time job, family & kids. I, luckily only have one of the three, and my job is pretty understanding.
But anything worth having, is worth working for. Right?
And really, aren't the holidays about others?
So I say, kick back and enjoy it. There's no sense in freaking-out about the holidays. They are gonna come and they are gonna go.
What is important aren't the gifts that are exchanged or even that the turkey was roasted to a perfect golden brown.
It's more about the stories created and traditions extended with good people, be they family or friend.
Keep that in mind, as you jockey for position while in-line at the store. Or as you freak-out in the kitchen while a roomful of probably oblivious guests relax and have another beer/glass of wine.
Just have a good time and relax. No one wants to be in a Norman Rockwell painting...that's too much stress. Give me a David Horsey cartoon any day.
Happy Thanksgiving, all!
