twinset.us

with a nod to Dar Williams

Dear Jan,

About a week ago, my boss and I had a conversation about how much he missed having the Santa Claus breakfast at work and lots of Christmas decorations in government buildings and at work and how he was sad he didn’t feel that we could just say “Merry Christmas” with abandon. I replied that I understood his nostalgia for the past and it was a shame that people couldn’t lighten up and accept a wish of Merry Christmas as a wish for happiness, not a forced indoctrination into Christianity. I did say that as a non-Christian, it could feel a bit lonely (despite being surrounded by lovely pagan symbols like wreaths and trees, but can I really count them when I know they aren’t sincere?). But basically I agreed - why can’t we all live and let live, and wish happiness and peace for all?

Yesterday a florist’s truck pulled up and delivered a lovely Christmas cactus. The card read “Happy Solstice and Happy New Year”. It was signed by my boss. It made me so happy.

And Happy Solstice to you, too.

Love,

Ellen

P.S. Snow was falling at sunrise. Gorgeous start to the holiday.