THE HOLIDAYS

As a young bachelor there were many holidays I would spend by myself after visiting my immediate family. I have to admit I felt very out of the mix as I drove past house after house loaded with families. I am sure there are many families that rejoice over spending long hours together during the holidays…however I know there are just as many family members that adhere to the premise “there is only one thing worse than being alone and that is WISHING you were alone.

With my family we never subjected ourselves to hours and hours of getting together. Our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners last about four hours and by then it was time to move to another commitment or head home. This was fine with me as in the past I have been held hostage in someone’s home or worse apartment with 20 to thirty people for up to eight hours. By the end of that time was ready to take a hammer to my vital organs.

At this point in my life I set comfortable limits to any place I go over the Holidays. I don’t mind going to a number of locations to visit various family and friends but an hour or two is enough. As I grow older I appreciate the daily things I get to do with my kids and grandkids. I adhere or at least have been learning that life is a journey and holidays are a small part of that.

I want to wish everyone who has read my columns and stories a very healthy and happy holiday season. I thank all of you for the support you gave me over the past year in dealing with my bout with cancer. I am sure that support helped me to get to being clear of everything today. I regard Red Bank as sort of immediate family and the surrounding towns my local cousins. If I am lucky enough to have you drop in to Danny’s over the holidays please ask for me. Once again...thanks for the support.