Winner GLBT category
It’s coming on Christmas,
They’re cutting down trees.
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace,
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on–River by Joni Mitchell
I think like many of you,
out there,
I have mixed feelings,
about Christmas.
I like it,
and,
I don’t.
I like the spirit of it,
I don’t like what that ‘spirit’,
has often,
come to mean,
and,
the time it lasts,
well,
it’s nuts.
I started listening to Christmas music, yesterday, the fifteenth of December, is more than early enough in my book.
I do like Christmas music,
the hoky and the spiritual,
the funny and the irreverent.
I like that I will be spending time,
with people I love,
my wonderful family and friends,
I miss,
the missing members of my family,
and of course,
a few friends,
who I have lost over the years.
Christmas is a time for rejoicing,
in what we have,
and,
remembering,
all that has made us,
who we are,
a time for reaching out to our fellow humans.
Of course,
I also think reaching out,
and,
having compassion for those less,
fortunate,
the lonely suffering people,
should not be restricted to Christmas,
but,
the social pressure,
the constant media barrage,
about Christmas,
can’t be pleasant or easy for those,
who have nothing and no-one.
And then there are those,
who have people,
but, don’t like those people.
Let us spend time with those we love,
not waste time with those,
who anger and make us feel bad,
about ourselves,
seek out those who bring us joy and warmth,
those we love,
if those people happen to fit,
the socially acceptable parameters of Christmas,
fine,
but,
if they don’t,
well they don’t,
be,
true to your heart.
Sure,
be kind and make an effort,
to alleviate loneliness,
spread some cheer and laughter,
but,
don’t allow yourself to develop,
an ulcer or feel chest pains,
because you want to throttle,
your mother,
your sister in law,
your uncle Morrie.
Spend time with friends,
volunteer in a soup kitchen,
don’t spend time with people you can’t stand,
it just isn’t good for you,
and,
this isn’t supposed to be hard,
it’s supposed to be joyful,
remember?
Of course,
even in loving families,
there are hard years,
there are fights and misunderstandings,
it happens,
but,
as long as you feel the love,
underneath,
you will ride through the bad years,
the difficult personalities,
life and even Christmas,
isn’t always about Hallmark moments.
Life is also about duty,
and,
not just a hedonistic whirl,
around the dance floor,
but,
toxic should be avoided,
at all cost,
that shit will kill you.
Don’t exhaust yourself,
don’t go into debt,
but,
share the work and the joy.
Christmas to me isn’t about,
the birth of Christ,
it is about what I was taught,
it was,
good will towards all,
and presents,
let’s not forget presents!!
Have a a very merry,
coming on Christmas,
you all.
Later girls,
BB
