Imagine what it was like just 20 years ago. We almost had to go over the river and through the woods, for holidays. We have so much more available to us today, in the way of communication. Today we don't think of calling someone in another part of the country or even another country, and chatting the night away. I remember long distance costs of $.30 a minute (and that was a good price).
Then along came the Internet, remember all the relationships that broke up when someone who was truly bored with a marriage would meet someone on line, and what seemed to be a whole new side to life blossomed. I saw a few of my friends crushed by this same thing. I'm not sure if the folks who did it were doing something just to hurt the other, but they sure did. For all I know there might be lots of this going on today still.
What has also evolved is groups like this one, where we can flirt, joke, and be down right serious on just about any topic. Do I want to marry most of the women I meet? Well Hell yes, at least at first!!! I, or any of us, can fantasize about this person typing these words to me, just me! I have no idea what someone looks like until they send me a picture, and even then you really don't know if this is really who you are talking to. It's a fantasy remember!! I hope you do remember that before breaking up with your loved one, or selling everything to make the (wrong) move of a lifetime.
Well once I get over the "'I love her" part, I love to read and write and sometimes even talk on the phone to this person or persons. Usually having met on a group you belong to you have some common interests other than finding your soul mate. I can tell you that we are truly friends, closer because of the Internet, which allows us to visit when we can, and not miss much.
Through out the year we have several holidays that fit very nicely into our Internet lives. Halloween, Wow this seems to be the one made for the online friends. Not to many of us would have time to meet as a group to tell stories, or look at the findings of someone's investigation, things like EVP's, photos, and someone's personal experiences. Hell we have to work, decorate the house, give out treats, parties, haunted house, hay rides to get that perfect pumpkin!!! Once all is caught up, and we have a few minutes for us, we can go to our group and listen (EVP's), view (photos), read of experience, both old and new. We do this at our leisure, maybe 2:00 AM, what does it matter everyone else in the group is asleep. Some of us start sending the Halloween emails, and downloads out a month early, extending the season as much as Walmart does! Great online holiday!!! Maybe the best! I think (at least for me).
Christmas is number 2, on the best online holidays. Along about Thanksgiving we get up from the holiday meal and get ready for the shopping season. Not me remember the kamikaze shopping trip I wrote about? Lots of us find the holiday backgrounds, and start shaking the dust off the decorations in out attics. We also shake out the holiday emails we got last year, wanting to add some new too but the old stuff goes out right away. Poems, songs, videos, wonderful stories, Letters from soldiers that put a lump in my throat.
The biggest difference between Halloween, and Christmas is, I can get by on not meeting all my friends for the scary part. This the holiday I want to get together with all of you, to hug, and laugh, and sample all the personal recipes that are only brought out of the closet once a year for Christmas. I would say to sing songs, but you got a better chance of seeing god (tonight) than hearing me sing!!! I would chant if you bring a drum!! Well that's another story!
I want you wish you the best holidays that I can wish for you. Not all of us celebrate Christmas in a religious way, but the fun of giving, and to see the magic in a young kids eyes, makes me ponder why this is getting to be something no one wants to talk about? I know the history of the season, and yes, Yule, and Hanukkah, are a lot older celebrations than (our) Christmas. At least the Christmas I'm talking about. Christian celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25 th, but he was not born anywhere near that date. I say celebrate it however you choose!!! I just see something come over a lot of people this time of the year! Well, once you get in the mall out of the traffic!! Or maybe it should be called Death race 2007.
Remember our Soldiers, and our loved ones and friends who are dealing with sickness, loneliness, or maybe having to spend the holiday at some ones side who is need!!
Bake that family heritage recipe, that Grandma left you, and trust me she will smell it an come a running!!! I feel the most family activity during these holidays, so if you are alone get out he stuff you kept from each love one who has crossed over! They got time to visit!
Merry Christmas, Merry Yule, Happy Hanukah, Have a safe and wonderful day!!!
Do you have some long handed down tradition, or recipe that only gets used this time of the year? I would love to hear about it, I think times like that draw us closer as a family too even across the miles.
My family, continues a tradition that started after the death of our Dad. We used to meet at Moms on Christmas Eve, Have refreshments (those dishes and cakes that everyone calls their specialty) Gift are exchanged, mostly for the kids, but this is that one day of the year no one has an excuse for not coming. All our differences aside we have a great evening, then go to out individual families for the opening of Santa's gifts!!!
I wish I could be with you to share in this festive time, but this email will be what I used to fill a chair in your Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Etc.
Steve
