Monday, December 19, 2005

Christmas and the Crazies....

I can't say Merry Christmas anymore. I said it to someone this weekend and they looked at me like I was nuts. (PS- this person worked at the Enchanted Village... there is a Santa, there are Christmas trees with angels on the highest boughs) I am Catholic (in my own special way) and I say "Merry Christmas". I say it to my VERY not Catholic PC (atheist by design--- if you know in the "real" you would understand this a little better... PC's not wired for religion). I say it to his not Catholic, but non-practicing Christian relatives. I say it to my Jewish girlfriend who has a Catholic mom, a Christmas tree and a Hindu boyfriend, who also happens to be Southern, but we don't mention the Southern (we are New Englanders, after all). I say Merry Christmas to him too.
Let's get right down to it and talk about this morning and how my large cup of "yuletide blend" was ruined by someone who can't just "let it be".

When I say Merry Christmas to you, should I see you on the street, please feel free to respond (or not) with "Merry Christmas", "Season's Greetings" or, a popular favorite, " Happy Holidays". Do not give me a look of disdain and call me a "Catholic lemming." Oh, and when I smile and nod, and grab my "yuletide blend coffee" (which YOU also bought), don't follow me out to my car and start to discuss the afflictions "my church" (yup, little ole' Mini is the root of all Catholic evil) have brought upon the world.
I am really happy that the police officer (whom I graduated college and got CONFIRMED with) asked you to "step away from the lady and leave her alone".
I am really happy that it only took you 4 times to hear him.
I am really happy that you were parked in a HANDICAPPED space and you had no placard.
I am even more happy Officer Christmas noticed.
I am happy that the other 9 people coming out of the coffee place this morning greeted me, the police officer and each other with "Merry Christmas."

I know all about diversity. I know all about multicultural relations. But, while I wish people a Merry Christmas, I send my Jewish friends traditional treats/gifts for their celebrations. At one point, we had a menorah in my house and we had Hannukah. We're not Jewish,but my cousin was atttending a Hebrew Preschool ( only school to take her a year early) and well, the teacher told her Jesus was Jewish (trying to include her in the lesson and teaching a valuable lesson about the link between the two faiths, God Bless this teacher!). So, b/c it is "baby jesus's birthday", and he was Jewish, we were having a birthday cake and lighting a menorah.

I didn't have a good morning.

Sandy- I made one complete pairs of mittens... that makes 4 total... oh, I figured out the thrums! More on that later....

Happy Knitting and .....MERRY CHRISTMAS.
:) Mini

5 comments:

  1. Sounds to me like you handled that just right . . . and yay for the nice police officer!

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  2. Anonymous12:27 PM

    Merry Christmas to you too Mini!
    Karen
    http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/

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  3. Anonymous12:55 PM

    Merry Christmas from a fellow Catholic! Love your knitting!

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  4. I'm sorry to hear that you got hassled - I wish people would stop to think that someone wishing "Merry Christmas" isn't out to convert or insult - just wishing someone a good holiday season! I'm glad the police stepped in :)

    Merry Christmas to you too!

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  5. Sorry to see you met the Grinch this morning. I heard the most wonderful thing on the radio the other day. A Muslim man was telling the talk show host that he felt that when people say Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Eid Greetings, or Joyous Kwanza, they are just sharing with you the joy they feel about their tradition, and you should accept it in that spirit. It saddens me that saying Merry Christmas has become a political statement about what, to me as an atheist, is a joyful time of year. So lets all say the words that express whatever holiday we celebrate and leave the chips off our shoulders. Merry Christmas from me to you. Personally, I can't wait to see what Santa leaves in my stocking!!

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