“Thanksgiving is over for this present season
The party is over, I’m stuffed beyond reason.
We eat too much food, and I don’t know just why,
Just one more helping, then top it with pie.”
So ... Here we go again. Up, Up, Up the roller coaster track; click, click, click.
“Oh fun! Oh joy! O Holy Night!
We’re heading toward Christmas, It’s such a delight!”
A song has been rolling around in my mushy head all day. “What’s it all about, Alfie?”
(If you don’t remember this song or are too young to have heard it, look it up on YouTube. It was sung by Dionne Warwick.)
So, what’s it all about?
Darned if I know. But I think I can guess.
Christmas and Thanksgiving are about decency, about a country that has wonderful traditions, about our faith, and about kindness and love for one another, whether family or friends, whether the needy or the hungry.
But, it can be too much for us as well, if we are trying to do it all.
I am not very good at that ... slowing down and doing what I can. Oh no, it’s programmed into me to try to do it all. I gain speed as I hurry, and soon I am in a frenzy although I try to act like I am not. So I have tried to adopt some new “slow down” habits before we/I click, click, click to the top of the roller coaster and plunge down into exhaustion and failure.
So what’s the goal? To do what we can, of course. And take time to think of others, and to give little unexpected gifts or acts of kindness; to ENJOY the season!
“We celebrate Jesus, his birth in the night, and soon it’s all over, and we look a fright
Our stretch pants are tight, and our tummies are round, (and we reach the top of the ride)
And soon it’s all over, and we plunge on down.”
On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, and Vixen
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner, and Blitzen”
“So, I have said all of that to say, remember, it’s not what we spend, or what we buy,
It’s doing your best and not asking “why.”
So Dionne, you asked Alfie what all of it means,
“It’s life and tradition,
(And here’s my answer)
It’s ... well ... still fitting in your jeans!

Judi Tabler is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at bluegrasses@gmail.com.