The weather outside is frightful

I’ve always loved Christmas. And not because I’m religious: I’m not and I haven’t been… well, since the age of reason, I guess.
Regardless of that, I don’t claim to get the holidays for myself. You won’t hear me speaking about season’s greetings and other stuff. I don’t expect it to be a civil holiday. Hell, the very word “holiday”, implicates religion. Denying that is ridiculous. And hypocrite.
So I guess that what I’m doing, what I’ve always done, is actually taking advantage of Christmas. Of the occasions Christmas creates.

The party, and everything that comes with it. Food choosen, detailed planned, things prepared. Showing you actually care. And if you can’t manage to care, even one fucking time in the year… well, you’ve got a problem.

The time off, and this idea that you just have to spend it with the people you love. Making it different from any other time off you might get at any other time of the year. And if you can’t manage to see your loved ones even now… well, you’ve got a problem.

The gifts, and this idea that you just have to stop for one minute and think about what your loved and beloved ones might actually like. It’s not about buying anything. It’s about figuring people out. Checking if you actually understand them, if you got your time to know them, if you can manage to give a damn about their tastes and desires. And if you can’t… well, you’ve got a problem.

So yes, I’ve always loved Christmas.

This year, though, it’s going to be a difficult Christmas. I will be facing, all together, the ghosts of Christmas past, the ghosts of Christmas present and the ghosts of Christmas yet to come.
So I’m going to cling to all the things I like about this time of year, ok? I’m going to draw a circle around me, and if you know me enough to wonder whether you’re in or out, you’re probably in. We’re going to have gifts and sweets and wine and a New Years’ Eve party to remember. You’re going to get the best gifts I will think of. And, eventually, everything is going to be fine.

But I’m going to need some help.