Pondering Christmas, This Time...

It’s that time of year… a time for reflection as TC ponders Christmas past and the present. Read on!

The year went by fast, with the exception of the two weeks before the Big Election. (!) However, a lot had happened, most that I documented right here.

So it is Christmastime again. I got into the mood waking up at 5:30am my time to watch the live feed of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was pouring in NYC, but other than a few slips, they did not let it ruin the spectacle.

Getting into the Christmas season, I find that I am as introspective as ever and had been dwelling on what I needed to focus on this year. Much gratitude and appreciation goes to my little team here, locally with brother James, sister-in-law Gracielle, and my stalwart buddy, Mr Jey.

In review, I ventured air travel, a visit to my brother and bestie in Ft Lauderdale. I returned to not only one, but two grocery stores, even with a electro-cart. I also ripped off the band-aid and attended the movies in a real theater.

I also mastered the up and downs of downsizing. My position at my job was eliminated and farmed out overseas. I took over management of my insurance and medical decisions, or as much as I can do going from an PPO to a HMO.

Friends and family had to deal with death this year. It never gets old. I can’t avoid my empathy, even if it is not “fashionable” this decisive year. I was pondering, how I would handle the holidays in the face of adversity, without becoming a Scrooge-Like Grinch. The best I can be is a low rent Cindy Lou Who.

Channeling My Inner Cindy Lou…

I remember my first Christmas at the airport, working Christmas Eve, when we had a small crew, yet I could not afford to buy gifts for my team. That year, I made, what I referred as my Industrial-Strength Lasagna. We had to keep stores open, yet the food stands closed early. For the few (4) employees that raved about my cooking, my lasagna factory stayed open for the duration of my 11 year stay at the airport. I was amazed that I found time with my workload to prepare so much pasta.

I also remembered when gifts were not in my budget. The Christmas after my brother James had major back surgery, a huge box was under the Christmas Tree.

One. Huge. Box.

It was an ADA-height toilet. Something brother would not have purchased for himself, unless it was in Iron Man colors. He needed it to make it easier to do his business after the back surgery.

The one Christmas that I was flat broke, the only gift that went out was for my Mom. It was the year the book “The Help”, had been a sensation and was just released as a new movie. I sent her the DVD for Christmas, and a hearty discussion was the satisfaction of making her happy with that gift.

During another year, both my parents had some setbacks with their health. One after the other. So I came up with my only major gift, partially “handmade” –set up as a tandem gift.

I mailed them both a certificate of achievement.

They won the “Takes a lickin’, Keeps on Tickin’ “award.

For those who grew up in the 70’s, That was the promotion slogan for Timex Watches. I sent them two matching Timex watches with larger numbers so they can see the time. They were pleasantly surprised, to say the least.

Then the ducks visited Vegas, and all my medical providers had new friends.

2024 Holiday Season…

Not a standard Christmas season, but I have been here before. A phone call, a Facetime, funny posts on my Facebook. Screenings of my favorite Christmas specials and movies.

For those who know me, I LIVE for a drunk Mrs. Shellhammer with triple strength martinis letting Santa Claus stay with her in Miracle on 34th Street.

I have a good cry watching “The Family Stone” –a modern underrated Christmas classic.