Apropos of nothing vitally important: back in the day when my kids were kids and for many years after that, all of the holidays were pretty exciting. There was Halloween with jack o lanterns and haunted houses and costumes and trick or treat. A lot of enthusiasm and fun was involved. And then it was over and things were back to normal until the end of November when Thanksgiving arrived with turkey and football and family gatherings and religious events for some. This was a nice, enjoyable holiday. And then it was over and things were back to normal. Christmas was so exciting and after Thanksgiving the Christmas trees and decorations and all things Christmas started appearing to make it even more so.

Not now. In August, Halloween appears. In September, Christmas appears. No time for anticipation, no break in which to digest the last holiday and what it was all about. I may be the only one who feels this way, but going into Walmart at the end of September and seeing lights blinking on Christmas trees, ornaments and all the other Christmas related stuff, really felt wrong to me, as it has now for years.

Why is there such a huge rush? Yes, much of this is the stores’ wanting to make money as soon as possible, but for me, by the time Christmas arrives, I’ve had enough of it already. What’s happening in this day and age is taking away so much of the excitement and anticipation that was a big part of the holidays.

Maybe I’m just an old grinch, but I wonder if anyone agrees.

Sally Alberts

Monument