Dear Sidney,
The religious holidays are approaching. I cannot complain that I am not invited to Thanksgiving and Christmas family celebrations. I am invited; however, I enjoy spending these holidays with friends of faith. The “family” celebrations are devoid of giving thanks to a higher power or commemorating the birth of our savior. Any attempt on my part to include Christianity in the gatherings is met with rolling eyes and scoffing tongues, which as you can imagine is very uncomfortable.
This decision on my part means that our grandchildren spend these special times with their other grandparents, making special memories without us. We do send a special Christmas gift box, but miss watching the children’s reactions when opening their presents sent from grandma and grandpa “who live far away in the forest.”
You seem to have experience in these matters. I’m ready to hear you out on this one.
Crusty Ole Christian in Cedar Pines Park
Dear Crusty,
I will assume that the families you speak of live off the mountain and that a visit entails an overnight stay. (Heaven forbid!)
I’ve Googled and found your alibi. THANKSMAS, a celebration held between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Agree that the Sunday after Thanksgiving will be your special holiday tradition. Invite them to come to you. Maybe there will be a bit of snow to thrill the children. You can find a Thanksmas invitation card on Zazzle for $2.48.
If they won’t come to you (I’ll bet on that one!), you go to them. Treat yourselves to a pleasant hotel. Nobody cooks; dine out with the entire antichrist bunch, spoil them, but sneak a little grace in at every meal. Subtly, share your faith. Surprise the entire fam damily with gifts they will swoon over for decades to come. You can afford it!
Before you know it, in the ensuing years, the grandkids will be running around their houses pleading, “When is Thanksmas?? How many more days until Thanksmas??”
I tell ya, it’s a win-win.
Sidney
Send your questions for Sidney to Sidney@thealpinemountaineer.com or by snail mail to Dear Sidney, The Alpine Mountaineer, P.O. Box 4572, Crestline, CA 92325. This advice is intended for entertainment purposes only. No animals were harmed in the writing of this column.
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