I am a firm believer in events which bring together family and friends. Not so much in how those events are presented. Thanksgiving, for one example, was far from a gathering of Pilgrim and Indian in peaceful harmony. While it’s wonderful to get together it might be past time to stop teaching that whitewashed version of the first Thanksgiving.
Many bemoan Christmas itself is more of a commercial enterprise than a religious one. But the actual idea of the birth of Christ in the middle of winter is already skewing history. Choosing a day to celebrate His birth is wonderful. Tagging it to an existing celebration was a very clever idea. Turning either one into a greed fest seems to exemplify so much that is not in line with his teachings, and bothers most of us.
As a child I loved the tree, the decorating, the gathering of relatives I hadn’t seen possibly for years. The idea that we must have THE perfect gift on one specific day…not so much, especially not as time piles up on me and I realize all of us have way too much…stuff. The pressure builds and we end up either spending far more than we can afford or everyone gets a pair of gloves.
I LOVE Christmas music, and am likely to sing it at the top of my voice while driving long distances in the middle of summer. I like to gift people as I find the perfect item for them, though if I don’t send it off immediately it’s going to gather dust in the corner until found, generally during a holiday cleaning purge. In fact there are a couple of items hiding under the dust bunnies… Thing is, I love the fellowship and good feelings of Christmas, but not when they are a required attitude during a limited season.
When we moved from Southern California we left behind my husband’s family, and my own has been scattered to the four winds. Does this mean I love them less? No. My hounds have kept me from casual travel, and I find Skype good for exchanging smiles but woefully inadequate for exchanging hugs. Home For the Holidays takes on a whole new meaning when we can’t leave our own home base and instead must rely on these visual aids. Then I remember centuries past when information moved at the speed of a scrawled note. No, I wasn’t there. Or was I?
Back to the misunderstandings we’ve all accepted as truths throughout our lives, we just might need to reexamine the concept of thirteen as an unlucky number. We have Triskaidekaphobia, or the fear of the number thirteen, supported by various legends. But thirteen is also considered a number of significance and good fortune in other cultures. Specifically, thirteen is the number between twelve and fourteen. The same as December 25 is the day chosen to celebrate the birth of Christ. And the day we would like to all gather in love. I’m going to try something really sneaky…let’s try that love thing for the rest of the year. What do you think?
My featured story here A Christmas Whimsy is one I wrote in my own spirit of Christmas sharing for my dog show and romance reading friends. I hope you enjoy it. And just for fun, a short contest. Winner gets the choice of either of my current books. Let’s make it simple, and silly. Ummm, oh, got it, I’ll use my late husband’s favorite extra credit question for his art students. What breed of dog has taken over my life for the last forty years?
Happiest of holidays to you, however you celebrate. You won’t find me sky clad this solstice but I send out a hug and best wishes to you and yours.
Hmmm, and low carb tip? Next time you bake a chicken try slicing up a daikon radish to drop around and inside the bird. You will not miss potatoes.
Mona Karel Author 
Ooh! Oooh! I know, Mr. Kotter! (madly waving hang in the air)
Does it rhyme with Suzuki?
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You just might have a small bit of an advantage here!
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I totally agree with you about the whitewashing of Thanksgiving history, the historical skewing of Christmas, and the (in my perception, often excessive!) giving of Christmas gifts. I also give gifts according to when I find something it seems to me someone would like rather than what holiday is imminent or occurring.
“I love the fellowship and good feelings of Christmas, but not when they are a required attitude during a limited season.”
Nicely put! Really enjoyed this post for all the insight related to this, and thanks for sharing. Thanks also for sharing “A Christmas Whimsy”! I’m working through the hop now so will plan to come back and read it later. 🙂
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So glad you enjoy it. Whimsy is related to my first published book, My Killer My Love. Writing it helped me with the sequels I’m working on. And THANKS for enjoying the hop. MFRW is such a great organization
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Spread love all through the year, I say, this from one born on Friday the thirteenth-February. Salukis are for extra credit and will be featured in my new book. Thanks for a heart warming and oh so true post, Mona.
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Hi Charmaine thanks so much. And if you want any details about life with the ‘lukis you just let me know. I have a few pictures
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Great post – the thirteenth has never bothered me – lol…Agree about the holidays and the hype and craziness….and I too agree about loving throughout the years. As for the dogs ….Salukis and I had to look them up because I’ve never seen them in person and wanted to see what they look like – and I love the way they look! I can see why you are a fan
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Thanks for stopping by! Yeah, Salukis have been such a part of my life. And their personalities are so unique
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Mona,
Thank you for your heartfelt message. I am looking forward to reading Christmas Whimsy!
~Carole
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Hi Carole Hope you enjoy my Whimsy story!
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Hi! Bet you thought I’d forgotten you. Not really, just waiting for any more responses. In the spirit of the season and since I had SO MUCH fun with you, everyone who responded gets their choice of either Teach Me To Forget or My Killer My Love. Let me know before 12/31, and I’ll send you a copy for you to read in the New Year. THANKS
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How lovely of you, Mona. I would be delighted to receive a copy of My Killer My Love. Thank you so much! Happy new year to you!
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Thanks for getting back to me…is Kindle okay?
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It is indeed. Thank you!
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