The holidays

Bertha Butterbean
The holidays

Well, I guess now that Halloween is over we have entered that season known as The Holidays. Or maybe the holidays begin a week sooner and include Halloween. Either way it is pretty much all uphill from here, because the holidays come in such swift succession that I am still thinking about the first one when the second one arrives.

By the way, I gained an hour of sleep Saturday/Sunday when we turned the clocks back, but I lost it again the following night.

In spite of the fact that I am chronically behind during the holidays, I am happy to be in them and noting their significance. I happen to be of a political and religious bent that allows me to celebrate all of the holidays with enthusiasm.

Take Thanksgiving for instance. If you happen to believe that Thanksgiving is about giving thanks to God for blessings, then that holiday is worth noting and celebrating. If you don’t, then I guess you just talk turkey.

And take the Fourth of July for another instance. If you are celebrating our country, its constitution and those who sacrificed much for its creation, then you can put your whole heart into its commemoration. If you don’t then I guess it’s just about fireworks.

And for the third instance, take Christmas. If you believe that it is for celebrating the birth of the Savior of mankind, then have a joyous one. If you don’t, then it is about presents.

So, here’s the rundown of national holidays: New Year’s Day, Msrtin Luther King Jr’s birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Add to that the list of holidays on which you still have to go to work like Halloween, Valentine’s, April Fool’s and St. Patrick’s days.

Now you go figure.

If you aren’t a little bit patriotic, religious, or conservative (PR&C), you don’t have a whole lot to celebrate in a year. Let’s see, by my count, of the 11 national holidays there are eight patriotic holidays, two religious holidays, and the rest (one) are up for grabs.
If you depend on your holidays to define you, and you aren’t a little bit PR&C, let’s see, you are left with New Year’s, Halloween, April Fool’s and Valentine’s—throw in Boss’ Day, Clean Up Your Room Day (May 10) and Thomas Crapper Day (Jan. 27) if you wish—and you are going to have a really great year.

Remember, if those are your holidays, you will have to schedule time off if you want to celebrate them in any traditional sense of the word. Traditional is sounding more fun all the time.

And if you are not PR&C, you really should not celebrate PR&C holidays anyway, or you run the risk of looking hypocritical.
With that said, may I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season, and I hope that you find meaning, joy, and happiness in your families as you celebrate all of them.