MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE... EVE!

Ah, what a special season! Yes, even the last-minute shopping. I'm starting tomorrow. In the interest of full disclosure, though, this year I did buy myself a pre-Christmas gift: A Lionel train for under the tree. I had train sets when I was a kid, but never a big one specifically made for the holiday. And I don't recall them costing about $350 (besides, I had to buy the passenger car accessories). So I have been behaving like a 7 year old (hey, it has a whistle and the locomotive smokes!). That's a good thing.

The time to worry is when we lose the little child inside of us. As time passes it takes a little more work to cultivate that inner tyke, but it's worth it and necessary. There's plenty of time every week to have to be "adult". So I sing along with my eclectic CD's in my sensibly-appointed fossil fuel-burning SUV, not caring about people who watch me and think I'm nuts. I go through withdrawal when the Christmas commercials on TV and radio come to a halt on 12/25. (It's been more enjoyable this year since many retailers have reverted to saying "Merry Christmas".) And I will have great fun doing "odd shopping", too, like getting hundreds of rounds of ammo for my adult sons (we all have Glock pistols and compete against each other at a local shooting range... now that's bonding). At our house, we will also reflect on our family's Swedish traditions. They're more meaningful this year after spending a few days last summer with my relatives outside of Stockholm. Lesson: Never lose your roots... stay connected.

Hey, this IS supposed to be a season of joy, celebrating the birth of Christ, the Savior of the world. And believe me, we need a Savior especially now, in this world. That's why it's so puzzling to me when people fight Christmas goodness and try to be anything but happy. One of the trends this year is hanging the evergreen upside down... or even black Christmas trees: http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=abNQfvk6bZPY Some people just love being contrarian. Go figure. Well... please try to have a very Merry Christmas anyway. Enjoy this "Christmas Eve-eve" day!