This time of year can be a lonely time for many. Look at folks like Scrooge and Grinch - they were a couple of lonely guys living in their little caves. That is, until people brought them around - people (from past and present) who planted little seeds of warmth inside their cold, shriveling hearts. And ultimately, it was their own decision to listen and eventually burst out of the boxes they put themselves into.
At the risk of sounding sentimental, I would like this holiday season to be something more than an ordeal that I have simply survived. Thus, I'm going to divulge how I survive and even (gulp) enjoy the final few weeks of each year (give or take a few).
I have a favorite Holiday (with a capital H) song of mine from childhood and even now still, especially when I'm at times feeling a bit like Scrinch (Scrooge and Grinch rolled up into one), e.g., our greedy capitalistic society... oh the noise noise noise noise of Mr. Bush and administration and their Bible-thumping façade ... look at all those houses all lit up ... bunch of showoffs ... I don't want to be an elf, I want to be glamorous ... all a bunch of commercialism, etc.
But I digress. This favorite Holiday song of mine is not a Holiday song in itself but I sing it to myself around the Holidays quite a bit. It keeps me honest, active and out and about amidst the quirky company of friends, family and strangers and their poor pets donned with felt reindeer antlers.
Written in 1964 for the Broadway musical Funny Girl starring Barbra Streisand who then went on to star in the 1968 film version, Streisand, acting as the Jewish comedienne Fanny Brice, sang this song with all that starry-eyed, nasally gusto that only she could muster. I've never considered myself a fan of hers but when I think back to everything I've seen starring Streisand, I realize that yes, I am a fan. I've enjoyed every single movie I've seen her in from Hello Dolly to The Way We Were to Yentl.
But I can't stand it when she opens her mouth to sing.
Except for the theme song to Funny Girl.
No more hunger and thirst
But first be a person who needs people
People, people who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world
Perhaps, in this day and age, we should change the words to people who need podcasts... but that's another story, another song.
And with that, I get to the heart of this column (finally), for to me the Holiday season is about celebrating the freedom to participate in this ever evolving world, the freedom to put my best self forward and, well, about having some good old fashioned fun - with people, even and especially your small, unglamorous sELF.
I personally celebrate the Holiday of Christmas - y'know, the one with that strange and somewhat idiotic dragging a soon-to-be-dead fir tree into the living room and adorning it with lights. Forget the nativity scene, though.
For me, I hang a Buddha doll above my piano and take the zen approach to Christmas. Make a plan, let go of the results and stay present without high expectation of presents (ack). This Christmas, after brunch with my close relatives, I'm holding a small, intimate party and we're watching The Grinch and Rudolph and Scrooge and yes, Funny Girl. I'll probably be watching that one by my own funny little self.
Have some fun and remember the eardrum piercing, blasting voice of Barbra Streisand singing people who need people are the luckiest people. Go on, Scrinches, for the rest of the year, be lucky.
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