Well, heck, it’s holiday time again. I am a man in my 70s and have made a lovely life for myself (and my doggies) here on the mountain. I have a social calendar to brag about.
The ratio of single women to single men up here is 2:1. I hang with like-minded people so that we can share thoughts, ideas, politics and complaints without judgment. Absolutely no woke liberals on my Christmas card list.
So suddenly my brother and his wife are literally begging me to go DTH to their noxious anti-Christ Christmas Eve celebration in Redlands, – not a far drive and I do still drive, even at night. Having not included me for over 10 years in family wedding showers, weddings, baby showers, births, birthday parties and the like, suddenly they have asserted a guilt complex by trying to ruin Christmas for me.
My plan for Christmas Eve is a church service, dinner with friends and spiked eggnog in front of my dancing fire surrounded by my two best friends, Atlas and Charlie.
I have declined my brother’s generous invitation. I have no desire at this juncture in my pleasant life to start up relationships with my brother, my nieces and nephews and their children. I wouldn’t recognize them because I’ve not seen them for a decade.
Am I being a stick-in-the-mud? Am I being a mean old man?
Merry in Crestline
Dear Merry,
My belief is that, as we age, the choice to lead a stress-free life is best for our health. It’s cool to be a grumpy old fella who does what he wants, when he wants, and on his own schedule.
Avoiding uncomfortable social events could possibly add on an extra five years to your actuarial longevity table. Sticking to your deepest inner feelings and avoiding unpleasant liaisons with persons of opposing values will definitely result in a calmer and more peaceful holiday season for everyone.
I’m with ya on this one, you mean old stick-in-the-mud.
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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