Soon

  The signs of the season. When I was young Christmas didn't really begin until after the Thanksgiving day parade. That is when Santa Claus made his first official appearance. Christmas music began to be played in the stores and windows decorated. The Sears "wishbook" arrived and silver bells shone. You just knew Christmas was coming soon. The anticipation was so thick you could cut it. Trees lined the streets, lights adorned rooftops and there were candy canes galore. The churches were decorated, ready for the arrival of the Christ child. Hot chocolate, cookies and pies. The little kids would be hearing that warning, better be good or you'll get a piece of coal! And people, well people were just a little more friendly, a bit more jovial you might say. Merry Christmas was heard often and no one offended. 

  A great deal of that has changed over the years. Yesterday as I walked through the Walmart I noticed that pallet full of Popcorn tins. You know what I mean, those heavily decorated tins with three different kinds of popcorn in them, probably popped six months ago. A sign of the season. Now, Santa has been around since Labor day, he was there for opening day of the school year. There are sweatshirts, slippers and pajamas on display emblazoned with messages of the season. Holiday savings are in every department. Yes, they are holiday savings these days, Christmas isn't a necessity for savings. Little is seen of the Christ child, mostly with products geared toward the Latino communities. 

  When I was young we wrote letters to Santa. That was an activity enjoyed by Moms and Dads and sometimes even in school. I recall being able to mail your letter to Santa at the post office, for free. The postmaster would take that letter and put it in a special bag labeled North Pole. Today the kids just create a list on amazon and send e-mails to Santa. I hear he even answers those e-mails. The elves aren't mentioned nearly as often as they used to be, today they are diversity hires I suppose. I haven't been around young children much in the last ten years or so. I wonder if they have the same feelings toward the season I used to have. For me, it like a magical time. I really did stand a reasonable chance of getting what I asked for. I knew when the answer was, we'll see, that really meant, no. A maybe gave you some hope, like buying that lottery ticket, but a letter to Santa was almost a sure thing, if you kept it reasonable.

  A few signs of the season I rarely see anymore are Carolers and Nativity scenes. Caroling just isn't a thing anymore and Nativity scenes are relegated to the churches or private property. You can't display such on public property anymore. I don't feel any excitement in the air for Christmas anymore, mostly I hear people complaining. I realize it is only October but it feels like Christmas has already come and gone. But we all have our own memories of Christmas past and the joy of the season. For me, bubble lights, stockings hung by the chimney, the big bulbs on the tree and bigger ones outdoors. All that and everyone trying to keep a secret. The presents were wrapped and placed under that tree, the ones that were being given by your friends and family, Santa's gifts wouldn't be there until Christmas morning. So, for maybe a week or so I would pick up, shake, weigh and guess at just what was in those boxes. The anticipation was the best part and I have to add, I was never disappointed.