I don't know about you, but the idea of 'gathering' during the Holidays is not an appealing one. Why do we spend so much energy during the holidays, navigating crowded malls for presents, only then to deal with the dreaded Family Gathering? Where's the happiness and cheer in that?
I guess my aversion comes from the deep-seeded experiences of my youth, when my family would be guilt-tripped into joining my aunt and uncle at their home, commonly called The Lion's Den, for XMAS. There, my aunt "Doris" had a rowdy train-wreck of a family gathering, complete with dsyfunctionality at every turn. The evening always included mom-bashing, and Doris would attack my mom unmercilessly, while family members watched like it was their evening entertainment. This wasn't to say that mom was the main target - in fact, Doris spread her unique form of XMAS cheer to just about everyone. Those gatherings were never easy, as my father and I lamented having to deal with Doris and her attitude. The tension between Doris and mom was thick like the densest fog, and no one knew where the evening would go. We all knew where things would end: mom was wrong and Doris was right. Bring the babes to the Den, and watch the lion devour them. Intolerable...
In all fairness to Doris, mom has made many bad choices that have haunted her for decades; some of the attacks were probably meant as more of a wake-up call then outright criticism. But, for Doris to treat mom like that of human around mosquitoes is regrettable, and a key reason for why the quiet of the season is more appealing.
Some would call this desire anti-social: I call it peaceful. XMAS has become commericalized to the point of absurdity, and I reject the appointed role we sheep play to Corporate America's sheppard. No longer will I navigate crowded holiday streets, stand in crowded mall lines, or pretend I like distant family members who treat my blood like a stain on their family shirt. Instead, I will spend my holiday time surrounded by smaller gatherings of those who actually care for my family's well-being. In doing so, I hope to find the true meaning of the holidays, where happiness and cheer are as bountiful as the fall harvest.
May peace surround you during the holidays! In the meantime, enjoy a white-trash XMAS, courtesy of Aunt Doris:
I guess my aversion comes from the deep-seeded experiences of my youth, when my family would be guilt-tripped into joining my aunt and uncle at their home, commonly called The Lion's Den, for XMAS. There, my aunt "Doris" had a rowdy train-wreck of a family gathering, complete with dsyfunctionality at every turn. The evening always included mom-bashing, and Doris would attack my mom unmercilessly, while family members watched like it was their evening entertainment. This wasn't to say that mom was the main target - in fact, Doris spread her unique form of XMAS cheer to just about everyone. Those gatherings were never easy, as my father and I lamented having to deal with Doris and her attitude. The tension between Doris and mom was thick like the densest fog, and no one knew where the evening would go. We all knew where things would end: mom was wrong and Doris was right. Bring the babes to the Den, and watch the lion devour them. Intolerable...
In all fairness to Doris, mom has made many bad choices that have haunted her for decades; some of the attacks were probably meant as more of a wake-up call then outright criticism. But, for Doris to treat mom like that of human around mosquitoes is regrettable, and a key reason for why the quiet of the season is more appealing.
Some would call this desire anti-social: I call it peaceful. XMAS has become commericalized to the point of absurdity, and I reject the appointed role we sheep play to Corporate America's sheppard. No longer will I navigate crowded holiday streets, stand in crowded mall lines, or pretend I like distant family members who treat my blood like a stain on their family shirt. Instead, I will spend my holiday time surrounded by smaller gatherings of those who actually care for my family's well-being. In doing so, I hope to find the true meaning of the holidays, where happiness and cheer are as bountiful as the fall harvest.
May peace surround you during the holidays! In the meantime, enjoy a white-trash XMAS, courtesy of Aunt Doris:
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