something wicked this way comes

Maybe it's not entirely wicked, but it's coming. In many places, it's been here since the Halloween candy aisle got heavily stickered with 50% off signs. The festive holidays are upon us. Again. Didn't we just do this around this same time last year? I thought so.

OWS isn't anti-non-denominational-seasonal-celebration. Don't get me wrong; I like an excuse to get fun presents, eat lots and drink silly amounts of boozy substances just as much as the next person. I do want to know whether to wish you a happy *whatever* without insulting you, and I also want to not have to listen to over a thousand versions of the same eight holiday songs... everywhere I go.

It's only for a month (or so), and it's only one month out of twelve. I can survive.

Maybe I've been away from my family for so long I don't get particularly festive; I haven't had a Christmas (there's that word) with my immediate family since 1996. That's a long time. There are now several new faces in the extended family - just on my side alone. And since I got hitched I haven't spent any of those special days with the in-laws, either. I like my mother-in-law, too. She's nice people.

My partner and I have our own traditions now. While living in a larger urban centre we would sleep in, gorge ourselves on chocolate (tradition left over from my childhood where my sister and I would only eat chocolate all day, until dinner), head out for a matinee and then go for Korean hot-pot or BBQ. After a few years we graduated to leaving the city entirely. We started going to Seattle for a few days. That was fun.

The small town we live in now doesn't have anything open on December 25 (not surprising - out of 4,500 people there are over 20 places of worship). We've bought a house, so we've got less disposable income to spend on fancy trips to sparkly Seattle. Our friends here - the few we have - have family elsewhere, so they'll be leaving.

We'll do what we always do: let the day pass, eat chocolate and think about the fact that we're pretty damn lucky to have met one another. Despite all of our perceived barriers, we know we're in the fortunate group. That's worth celebrating just on its own.

Tolerate the holiday carols. Graciously let the person in front of you take the spot in the parking lot that you've been lined up for. Give the bus driver some Toblerone on the eve of the 24th. Call family or friends that you've been meaning to call (but haven't) and tell them they rock your world.

Then, quietly, forgive yourself. For whatever injustices you think you have done to others and for the guilt you may feel for being one of the 'haves' while we live in a country riddled with 'have-nots'.

After all of that is done and over with, get involved. Change your perspective. Remember why you are here and what you want to do with yourself. Don't talk about doing things: write them down, tick them off and do them.

December 25th is one day. If we play our cards right, though - we can make it everyday. I try.

Thank you to everyone who has helped push, pull and drag me into the larger conversation - with myself, and with others. And thanks to you. For reading my words. They're only words, but they're mine to share with you and, until someone reads them, they aren't a whole heck of a lot.

Happy everything, wherever you are.


~Jeannette