I apologize, dear readers. It’s been so long since I’ve written. I could give you the standard hackneyed excuses, but the truth of the matter is, I’ve been managing to keep myself busy. When you’re on your own, the holiday season can be excruciating. So, as someone with no interest in drug or alcohol abuse, or sadly extensive weight training, I fall into the workaholic mode this time of year.
I’ve continued to counsel the broken-hearted on social media who have been suffering through divorce and infidelity, and the cries become a bit more manic from Black Friday through the end of the year. This will be my second time through the cycle, and while an analyst may beg to differ, I think I’m gaining renewed perspective on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Starting with the fact that each of those days is 24 hours. No less. No more. And there’s always a day after.
This past Thanksgiving, I skyped the Macy’s parade for a friend in Syracuse that doesn’t have cable television. Then we watched my favorite “Star Trek” together. I slow-cooked a couple of turkey filets in the crock pot, mixed some mashed potatoes, made gravy and Stove Top stuffing, and had myself quite the feast, with only my dog Casey for company. And frankly, I wouldn’t have traded that day for anything! I didn’t have to talk to anybody about Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton … didn’t have to find something else to do while every NORMAL American male in the household sat through nine hours of football … and the pumpkin pie was mine. ALL mine.
I have made several dear online friends who are grieving their failed relationships at this time. I have other friends who have lost loved ones. I just finished a play in Dahlonega, filling the shoes of an actor who played my part more than a decade ago, who also happened to be the playright’s father-in-law. He passed away last Thursday, and we dedicated our closing performance Sunday to his memory. As I was greeting the well-wishing patrons that day, I met his widow, and shared my condolences. What a loss, just before Christmas.
As fortune would have it, I will be spending my Christmas much as I spent my Thanksgiving, and I’m happy about that. I’ll perform with my puppets for the kids at my church on Christmas Eve … attend an 11pm communion service, which will end with the bells at First United Methodist Church chiming in the arrival of our Lord and Savior. This year, Christmas being on Sunday, they’ve GOT to have a Christmas Day service, and they will! But the only extra place that I will set at my table this year will be His!
Shed no tears for me, ladies and gents! Saw my Dad during my closing weekend, and sent gifts up north for him and Mom. My sister’s package, for herself and her family is heading to Michigan via UPS. I will doubtless visit with all of them via videochat. I probably won’t be wearing pants.
My apartment will reek of the turkey in the slow cooker yet again … will probably opt for scalloped potatoes this time, and my vegetable of choice, broccoli. Maybe a good old-fashioned apple pie this time. And I imagine I will skype once more with my dear friend in Syracuse, who has a few surprises heading HER way, by the way. I’ll play with Casey, who will enjoy cleaning my plate and watching some 3D movies (although I can’t get her to leave the glasses on). Or I’ll spend some quality time with my subjects on Tropico 5, my Caribbean island dictatorship in the magical world of Playstation 4.
If you’re feeling down this holiday, and if, for whatever reason, you’re not spending the holidays with the ones you love, take heart, and know that these days will pass. They did for me last year, and they will for me THIS year. My Christmas Eve will come on the 27th, at my daughter’s apartment in Columbus. We’ll open presents on Wednesday, the 28th! It will be no less festive. Remember that Christmas is the only one of these holidays that has ANY meaning, and the meaning, frankly, has nothing to do with presents, carols, egg nog, the Ghost of Christmas Past, Santa Claus, or even family. It has to do with a baby in a manger many, many years ago. Whether you’re alone, or with loved ones, raise your eyes to the skies, and give thanks for THAT present, which we can open each and every day. Merry Christmas one and all! And I PROMISE, you’ll see more from me in 2017!
