When the Cheer Disappears
The presents have been unwrapped, holiday meals have been eaten, and the families have all gone home. It’s 8:30 pm on Christmas, and I just remembered I have a column to write. If I ever had a good excuse to opt out for a week, this and next week would be acceptable excuses. But, alas, the moment I lose my discipline and start skipping weeks is the moment I stop writing these altogether. I’ve published weekly articles for almost three years, so there’s no reason to stop now.
It’s no secret that holidays typically aren’t my favorite thing. I could rattle off reasons why I don’t love Christmas and the surrounding hullabaloo, but I’ll leave that to your imagination. Mostly, I hate the commercialism of something that once felt pure. Still, I love seeing my family, and despite my misanthropic tendencies, they make it worth it.
It’s possible that every middle-aged person at one time or another likely laments the loss of the magic they once felt as kids during this time of year. Maybe you still experience the joys of the season, and if so, you’re lucky. I long for things to feel special again. Honestly, I wish anything moved me. That’s a conversation for another time, I suppose.
Still, maybe the allure of the season is reserved for children and their parents, to which I am neither. So, perhaps there’s not enough holiday magic left for old childless dudes, and I’m okay with that. It was fun to see my nieces and nephews stoked on the mountains of gifts they received. Their smiles gave me an inkling of that old familiar cheer.
Next week we start a new year. I’m not usually one for resolutions—imagine that—but I do believe next year is going to be a good year. I’m driven to build on the momentum created in 2025 and excited to see what 2026 has in store. I hope you had a great Christmas, and if not, that’s okay too. For what it’s worth, your encouragement, week after week, has been one of the greatest gifts over the past few years, so thank you.
Short and Sweet, but most importantly, I didn’t skip a week. You’re welcome.
I am thankful you didn’t skip. This sounds like some of words that came out of my mouth yesterday. This has been the worst year we have had on so many levels. I feel like on some level I spent a decade in 2025. I am praying that this year will be better. Again, thank you for not skipping!!!
I have been AWOL lately not from lack of interest but because I got lost in a couple of books on the Vietnam War that were long and serious and took all my time and emotional attention I will catch up on your posts now
I feel your views on Christmas This holiday was so special for so long and it was always so because of family It is hard to recreate when they are all gone and can be damaging if one focuses too hard on past holiday in such circumstances My response is to down play it and just get through it I avoid accepting invitations to friends family gatherings as it emphasizes the absence of my own family I did go to my sister in law’s last year and one of her great grand children, a boy of five with all his joy in the occasion, made it feel good but I wasn’t up for travel
And I agree with John If you are old I have one foot on the banana peel As always your writing is honest, fearless and vulnerable which we know is the standard! The very best to you for every success in the new year