Holidays, a conversational piece

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-- Caelanwolf - griffey chriss - Shakespeare's Monkeys

The holidays. I have never really cared for them. It has nothing to do with the cheer, or the reasons behind the seasons (okay aside from American thanksgiving which is different from Canadian thanksgiving, since it has less death and destruction associated with it.) Anyway, the thing that bothers me most is that it seems to be the only time of year that the majority of people are inspired to give.

Why is that? Why help those who need it year-round only during the last 6 weeks of the year? Do you willingly not think of these people/things/places all year round, and then whent he "mood strikes" donate a buck or two to the salvation army and pat yourself on the back for having Done Your Part?

Yes, after having worked for more than one non-profit organization I am jaded. Yes, after having been someone who's needed that help but never asked for it, I'm jaded. I'm jaded by the attitudes I see from others. The apathy that oozes from my peers in regards to their own surroundings. The lack of motivation the majority of my generation seem to have. And on and on.

Magnify all that bad moodiness by the fact that this time last year I was sitting at home with my husband, sharing smiles and dollar-store-menu food, a bare tree sitting in the corner, the gesture appreciated to the fullest. Opening a gift every day because we were so excited to be with one another, to have the opportunity to spend time physically next to each other. Fast forward to now, and he's in the desert, and I'm back in Michigan. Wishing the "holidays" would just go away. Wishing the "holidays" would mute themselves, or rush past, and take their cheery attitudes with them.

Yea, I'm in a bad mood. It happens. When I was a kid all I wanted for Christmas was the stray dog or cat that I befriended to find a home (of course, preferably mine!) - in 2005, and this year, all I want is my husband to COME home.