Fond memories abound . . .

I am so glad that Christmas is not just 'a one day stand' holiday like Valentines' Day, the 4th of July, or a mere birthday; but a full season like Spring or Fall. It is a holiday that managed to swallow up Thanksgiving and New Years and mesh them into a "season" equip with its own music, movies and traditions. Personally, my family does not have any St. Patrick's Day, President's Day, or Arbor Day traditions. Pity! We do, however, have many Christmas traditions and I am immediately transported back in time at the sound of a song or the display of a nic-nak. Nat King Cole's 'The Christmas Song' takes me back to my first apartment in college when I didn't have many holiday LPs and so I would play his over and over (bet the neighbors contemplated taking a collection to buy me a different album). Our candle tree takes me back to high school and the crazy antics I got into with my friends, especially my good buddy Carl Lerer. Carl gave me this tree and each year when I pull it out, I wonder how he is doing and quietly wish him good health and well being. While we may lose people in our lives to distance or absence, holiday traditions keep them close in memories and for that I am grateful and glad.