Let me take a minute and talk about that phrase and personal growth. My own because that is
the only personal growth I have any right to comment on.
We say Merry Christmas in our house. That is what we celebrate, and that idea of the holidays
is just what my life has been inundated with from birth on and for generations without too much
thought to what other folks might be doing.
Christmas is EVERYWHERE! That’s all you see! I work in a craft store, and Christmas has
been burping in since July, working its way into a full-on vomit.
Anyway, remember (or maybe not) when people started changing everything to “Happy
Holidays”, and Christmas folks got a little bent? Myself included…
I got over it pretty quickly. But I did spend some time annoyed about it. It felt, to me, that the
populous was telling me that everything I held dear was wrong. I’m not big on change, or being
challenged, or anyone telling me I’m wrong…it takes me a minute to rally.
I work retail and am around people of all beliefs and practices, so instead of chancing offending
anybody, I just kept quiet, in case my attempt at “Happy Holidays” slipped out as a “Merry
Christmas”
Fast forward a few years of life experiences and maturing (don’t laugh).
One of our sweet, regular customers came in with her niece all excited because Hanukkah
week was approaching and they were getting supplies for gifts they were making together. They
were super stoked and I was super stoked for them. Their excitement was infectious.
Although I have been over the whole “I’ll say Merry Christmas if I want to,” phase for some time
(we’ll do our thing, you do your thing, all the love, nothing but a thang, you do you and
whatever) I had a little lightbulb moment. My brain clicked that last cog into place and the
lightbulb went on. The voice in my head said, “No shit Patty”. I had embraced the idea already,
but now I gave it a big hug, and wishing those around me “Happy Holidays” took on a new level
of sincerity.
I will forever be grateful for that moment of teaching. I love when I learn from the people around
me, just by being themselves. It’s a beautiful thing.
There are a lot of different ‘Holidays’ going down at this time of year, so I want to wish you and
yours, most sincerely, a very “Happy Holiday”, whatever that looks like for you.
Wishing you blessings,
Patty
