Well, the weather out there might not be frightful (yet), but
it’s shaping up to be the most delightful time of the year – at least for me.
Yeah, you know it! It’s Christmas time!
There’s something about the time of year from the middle of
November until December 25 that turns me into a child again. Some have accused
me of going too crazy over the holidays, and they might be right. You know what
I say to them?
Bahh, Humbug – you old scrooge!
Ever since I can remember, the last six weeks of the year are
my favorite time of the year. Kicking off with “Santa Train,” an event I cover
each year in the mountains of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia – and running
until Santa Claus has made his rounds, I love it. Lights, food, gifts, the whole
nine yards.
One of my first memories actually revolves around a trip to
see Santa at Two Rivers Mall in Clarksville. I don’t remember how old I was,
but I want to say it was 1977 – because I seem to associate hearing “You Light
Up My Life” by Debby Boone in the mall that year. (If you’re wondering if every
event in my life has a musical tie, well yes….it does!) Whether it be school
Christmas parties, Thanksgiving celebrations at my cousins’ house in
Centerville (little did I know I would wind up living there), or Black Friday,
I love everything about this time of year.
On the topic of Black Friday, that has been my favorite day
of the year since I was sixteen. My brother and I would go out at the crack of
dawn and hit all the stores. I know there’s a lot of people out there, and I
know some of them can get a little cranky or crazy at times – wanting that $20
DVD player that Walmart only has ten units of. But, it’s the most fun day of
the year to people watch, and the bargains – particularly at Belk = aren’t that
bad. I think he and I went out on Black Friday every year from 1991 until the
past couple. His living in Louisiana kind of limits things a bit, but those
memories are some of the most treasured I have of the holidays. This year, I’m
going out with my son. We haven’t done a game plan yet – he’s a little bit new
to the Black Friday game to understand there is a method to the madness – but I
guarantee it’s going to be a day worth remembering.
Yes…..does that make me one who commercializes the season? I
guess I would have to say guilty. But, I look at it different. Being able to go
out and buy presents for people throughout the year – which I can admit I go
overboard with – is my way of celebrating my blessings – work, health, and (for
the most part) happiness, as well as the greatest gift of all – Jesus. (Which,
if you’re one who hates the commercialism of the season, a reminder….you should
be celebrating that on Feb. or Jul. 25 as well as December)
Of course, there’s the decorations of the season. I will
admit, I don’t do this quite as much as I used to. A divorce and moving from
here to there have scattered many of my older decorations to the wind….though I
do have a Santa Claus ornament that was made in 1942, the year my mother was
born. The tree isn’t as big as I would like, as space and a pair of two nosy
cats that can’t leave things alone have taken care of that. But, I did buy a JR
Ewing ornament this year from Hallmark. So, I’m starting over!
Then, there’s the music and the television specials.
Music-wise, you could have Elvis Presley’s Christmas album and Kenny and Dolly’s
Once Upon A Christmas playing on
repeat, and I would be happy. But, this year, there are some great ones –
particularly Reba’s, Garth and Trisha’s, and Brett Eldredge. And, I spend a
good amount of time watching The Waltons and Little House On The Prairie
holiday shows this time of year. Of course, I have to watch The Homecoming, the
1971 film that begat The Waltons and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Those are high on my list as well.
Speaking of lists, what’s on mine, you ask? (I know, you didn’t…..but
that’s what writers call a subtle hint). Music-wise, I’m well taken care of,
though Ernest Tubb Gift Certificates are great, Dana Perino’s new book about
her dog Jasper is on my short list, Dallas Cowboys anything, and an iPod would
be nice this year. But, this year…..I want that little speck of magic dust. I
want this holiday season to be the best one ever- for everyone. There’s too much fight and not
enough right with the world. It would be nice if everyone would cool it for
awhile! It would be nice if that little bit of magic dust included someone
special, but that’s a Hallmark movie – and I don’t see me as a character in one
of those…..but you can dream, right?
In any case, the holidays are upon us. So, however you
celebrate, I hope you have a great season – Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and
Christmas! Let the holidays commence!
