The 12 Essays of Christmas, Day 3: What stress?

"Christmas is a necessity.  There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves."  

~Eric Sevareid

AUBURN, Maine - I never understood how people find themselves exasperated over the holidays. 

They say they are tired and beat up from shopping?

Really! 

I give them that "are you f'%$#ckn kidding me" look.

You have a roof over your head, food on the table and money to purchase a few gifts for your children and wife, but you continue whining about running all over creation to get things done.

You are overwrought because of a holiday that asks us all to be kind to our fellow man for a just day.

You know who you are, but save us all from your diatribe.

We feel pressured to make the holiday just perfect. Martha Stewart shows us the way to celebrate the perfect holiday. The TV icon demonstrates how to perfectly fold napkins, wrap gifts, and whip up the perfect dip for perfect guests who will attend the perfect holiday party.

Good luck with that.

What some of us don't realize is that you've been given the gift that keeps on giving - if the faiths allow.

It's your family, and if you are fortunate, they will be there Christmas morning sipping coffee and unwrapping gifts.

George Bailey experienced an epiphany when a jovial old angel wannabe named Clarence took Bailey out for a walk for a wake-up call. Old George finally figured out that his family was all that mattered in his life.

I have witnessed family conflicts erupt over being late for a holiday gatherings to wrapping gifts the "right way."

It is all senseless. 

I also understand that melancholy goes hand and hand with the holidays. You get older, but the memories are still strong of a mom and dad who won't be seated at the dinner table on December 25.

That's not stress; that's sadness, and the two should never be confused.

There are millions of U.S. citizens who are without work, health insurance and looking for their next meal.

That's stress, and being poor in a nation that flaunts its wealth strips any struggling family of their pride.

When you gripe about putting up the tree or lights, keep in mind there are 27 families who are drowning in a sea of misery and grief due to a mindless shooting in Connecticut.

So consider yourself lucky when you gather with your loved ones on Christmas morning enjoying their gifts and drinking egg nog.

A walk in the woods and thoughts about an old friend

 

    POLAND, Maine - The weather is absurdly warm, but as long as our oil furnace is silent and I am not contributing to the wealth of greedy speculators and Middle East corporations, I welcome the strong sun and melting snow in March.

    To celebrate this salubrious March day, we ventured into the cool Maine woods at Range Pond State Park - which has 1,000 feet of pristine shoreline and clear, cool water surrounded by miles of hiking trails. Take your bike or stroll the walking paths at Range. It doesn't matter; it is all good for your health.

    This oasis, which lies just 10 miles outside the Twin Cities, is a great way to beat the summer heat. The lake is fine area to try your hand at fishing and check out gawky loons that saunter past you. The hiking trails are shaded by tall pines.

     The ice is just starting to melt, but the sheet of white slushy stuff is quite a contrast against the searing sun. Winter always lingers in this state, and its calling card is stubborn ice and snow that lies in the shady areas of the woods until April.

     The two-mile hike brought us to the sandy shore where we found a vacant bench drenched in shade. We enjoyed the cool breezes off the icy water as we washed away our thirst with a cooler full of water.

     Anthony tossed rocks and dipped his legs in the frigid water to cool off as the mercury reached the 75-degree mark.

    Spring arrives on Tuesday, but New England just might skip that season and move right on to summer with temperatures hovering around 80 degrees during the middle of the week.

     There was a sparse group of Mainers who also thought it would be a pleasant way to spend a hot March afternoon near a lake encased in ice. 

     Just think, in another month and a half, all of us will immerse ourselves in Range's cooling waters to take cover from summer's impending heat.

Blast from the past

     It is amazing how many walk people in and out of our brief lives. 

     Ken Freeland flew right into my airspace at Norwich University nearly 34 years ago. We have been friends ever since and frequently reach out to each other as the decades have rolled past us.

     We became roommates at the Vermont military school for the five months. For some reason, we became friends in the first five minutes. Throw in John Connor and we became the Three Musketeers who had one helluva a time trading barbs and sampling fine booze in our cramped quarters. We were three comedians who gave the Norwich establishment a run for its money.

     Ken is a character, but that could also be said of me. Somehow, we mesh even though we are different. I guess that's why they call it friendship, which has endured for over three decades.

    Marriages don't last that long, and yet, our friendship was forged in less than a year.

     Last week, Ken left Connecticut to travel to Maine to purchase an expensive dog — and grace the Blasi household with a visit.

     I was honored.

    That last time we saw each other was seven years ago, which was far too long gap in our friendship. We have always stayed in touch by email or telephone.

     His visit was important to me. At this stage in my life, when many friends and family have died the past two years, I try to keep my channels open with people who actually give a damn about me and are still above ground.

    Well, his visit did me a world of good, and it was great to share a beer and reminisce about our glorious past.

    I think we will be seeing more of each other because we both understand we are all short-timers in this grand universe.