Every October, I realize the holidays are coming…
And I’m sorry, but every year they sort of fill me with dread. I know a lot of people love Christmas and Thanksgiving. I actually like those holidays in and of themselves. What I don’t like about them are the expectations that often come with them. One nice thing about living in Germany and not watching TV is that I am spared the incessant Christmas ads that start airing in October. The whole thing gets really hyped, mainly so retailers can sell their stuff before the year ends. Another thing about the holidays that gets to me are family expectations. Over the past few years, I have mostly given up on attending family gatherings because they often don’t live up to the build up and I end up sad and depressed. This year, I will be attending Thanksgiving in the United States because my dad died earlier this year and we’re having his memorial during Thanksgiving. I have been asked to participate in the memorial service with a song.
This is the song I will probably sing, at my mother’s request. Yes, that’s me in the video.
But in all honesty, the song that will probably be going through my mind is this one…
Ironically, I discovered this song on my way to Virginia to see my dad for the last time…
I do love my family, but when we all get together, it can be a bit overwhelming. My family is so large that it’s hard to remember whose kids belong to whom. They all descend on the family homestead en masse and everyone is different. I have a bit of an irreverent personality and the older I get, the less patience I have for those who seek to temper me. But I also have a number of relatives who are seriously religious people and like to get into discussions about their beliefs. Oftentimes, I enjoy some beer, which doesn’t always mellow me…
I suspect I may have to do this a couple of times…
Actually, it’s probably best if I lay off the booze and just head back to the hotel when things get too intense. There’s no reason why my liver should be punished for the stress of large family gatherings. I don’t want to make a scene like this one.
And I’m sad to say, there have been a few like this I’ve made in the past…
I think half my family hates me for that very reason. 😉 But I’ll go this year and try to be happy… and enjoy being in the States, probably for the last time for awhile if we’re lucky and stay employed in Europe.
I know. I suck.
