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As you go about decking the halls and being jolly, ponder this: Apparently the “holiday season”—specifically the December holidays—started the day after Halloween.
My theory is that the world is so overwhelmed and exhausted some think the most wonderful time of the year should happen year-round. This point was proven during the early days of COVID 19 lockdown in March 2020 when a Denver pop music radio station played Christmas carols for a few hours, attempting to lower everyone’s panic level by spreading calm and good cheer.
Candidly, I feel sad for lonely November. The basis for my pity includes the dreaded time change, the fact pumpkin-flavored anything is already sold out, and that incessant commercials referencing either Christmas trees and jingle bells or Medicare/Medicaid coverage renewals dominate regular TV. By Nov. 6, this Thanksgiving hoarder had purchased and frozen or stored anything she might possibly need for Thanksgiving dinner. I was not going to succumb to defeat from grocery store supply chain challenges, tariffs, avian flu or even a government shutdown!
Now that the radiant age of 60 has arrived I am liberated, ready to embrace the concept of planning for just-in-case scenarios. Planning brings me comfort, not unrealistically unachievable expectations. My thinking shifted after our insightful financial advisor shared this wisdom a few years ago: “You either pay for inflation or benefit from it.” Hmmm . . . someone will likely gain an opportunity from my unpleasant circumstances, so what’s stopping me from doing the same?
Here’s a similar fresh perspective. Earlier this year, our awesome neighbors’ pre-teen daughter challenged the neighborhood homeowner’s association about the timing of when Christmas lights could be turned on. She emerged victorious after explaining how special Christmas was to her and was granted permission to turn on the Christmas lights outside her bedroom window on certain days, regardless of the time of year. Perhaps this is not a surprise, but she’s also the one we call on if an oversized bull snake (yes, they’re “good” snakes in the great outdoors’ food chain of life) needs to be moved to a less frightening location in our yard in spring and summer.
Back to ‘Tis the season. Has the timing of Thanksgiving become unfortunate, or have we stopped feeling the need to pause for reflection about how blessed we are?
I think it’s the former, and no, I’m not implying that I intend to launch a campaign to move Thanksgiving. Just like Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, which I appreciate but believe awareness about any type of cancer needs to occur year-round, we could likely benefit from a mindset of gratitude and thanksgiving every day, not just the fourth Thursday in November.
Here’s to high anxiety, frozen turkeys, and canned goods.
May your (holi)days be merry and bright!
