By:Karenlyn Barone
In the stationary store, picking out birthday cards, I noticed the shelves behind me had been cleaned out and were now flaunting glittery garland and greetings of the season. I had to bite my tongue not to yell, "It is not time for that season, yet. It is only early November!"
And while in the grocery store, a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, I couldn't help but notice the shelves were already filled with red and green decorated paper plates, gingerbread house kits and boxes of candy canes. Please, you have to let me get through turkey day first!
But, as I stood on line waiting to check out, I found myself humming along with the Musak in the store. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go..."
Driving home, I noticed several homes already aglow with outdoor lights and holiday lawn decorations. I admit I was envious that those homeowners had already completed a task I dread. And more than just a few homes were already dressed in their holiday splendor. Countless homes were already lit up as a happy harbinger of the season to come - the operative words being, "to come." Christmas was still a month away. Regardless, my neighbor not only had the lights up outside, but his front window drapes had been pulled back to reveal the splendor of his Christmas tree, ablaze with lights and ornaments.
HUMPH! Has everyone gone mad? It's barely December!
While radio stations were devoting themselves to tunes of the season, and stores were gaily decorated with Santas and suffocating symbols of merriment, my reasonable head was resisting - but - my heart was unconsciously being pulled in.
I started writing my Christmas cards that night. And the next day I pulled the lights down from the attic and unwrapped the new plastic wreaths that I would somehow figure out how to assemble, so that they could line my walkway with holiday cheer. I bought extra Scotch Tape for wrapping, sprinkles for cookie sprinkling and some gifts for giving.
I got caught up in the push to bring the holiday home earlier than ever. But, why?
Well, while my sons and I were decorating the house, I forgot how bad the little one's report card was and the promise I had half-heartedly made to type the older son's term paper. Not once did I think about the exorbitant cost of oil needed to keep the house warm this winter, nor how I was going to pay for it. I did not moan about the pressures of my job, or my blood pressure. I reflected on all the good feelings the season brings with it, and I realized that the reason why we were all rushing the season is because like the song says, "We need a little Christmas ... right this very minute."
For the absolute longest moment possible, I want to think that everything is right with the world and my only deep thought is how many dozen cookies to bake. I need to be caught up in the good, so I can push away the bad - not forever - just for a really long, wonderful holiday moment. I want to forget how many calories there are in eggnog, and nod to everyone I pass, wishing them a happy holiday. I want to write of joyous memories and happier times, not of accidents or political ploys. I want to imagine all the soldiers home and the world at peace. Immersing ourselves in the holiday season, allows us to do that ... so, why not start celebrating earlier? Why shouldn't we hum Christmas carols in November and spin the dreidel in a devil-may-care way before the first frost appears?
I say, bring it on. Because, I need a little Christmas, right this very minute! And for all of you, I wish you a very long season of sustained holiday cheer. Trust me, we all need it.
