Observations and inanities by a second-shift assistant supervisor in the Puppy-Grinding division of the Evil Atheist Conspiracy® (our motto: "Sure it's cruel, but think of the jobs!"), your host, Brent Rasmussen.
Christmas Past
My youngest was lamenting the fact that Christmas was very thin this year. Not in a bad, whiny, selfish way, but rather in the general "aw, it's too bad that everyone is so broke this year due to the economy." (His 12 year old brain is finally beginning to realize that there is a wider world out there, and it's all connected - somehow - by this 'economy' thing, among other equally nebulous concepts. And it affects him. Wow! :)) So, we had a little talk about Christmas, the holidays in general, and what is really important.
I asked him to remember back to Christmas, two years ago, and tell me about one gift that he still has and enjoys.
He thought about it for a good thirty seconds - an eternity in 12-year-old land - and admitted that he doesn't have a clue what he got two years ago. He couldn't remember a single thing.
Then I asked him what he does remember about Christmastime two years ago.
"I remember when all of the family came over and we made peanut butter balls and sat around the firepit and played guitar and I jumped on the trampoline with my cousins. Then Uncle Kris fell over the dog and tipped over the pretzels!"
Point made. Family, friends, getting together and just enjoying each other's company, singing songs and laughing - that is the true meaning of Christmas for this atheist family. All that other stuff - the holiday sales, the gift-giving, the decorations, the music, Santa Claus - just gives us the perfect excuse to get together and be a family together. I love this time of year because of that.
I hope your holiday time was happy, all.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
Immaterial Christmas
For the last two years my wife, daughter, and I have done what we call our "Immaterial Christmas." Instead of purchasing gifts for each other we take the money we would have spent and we decide on an experience we'd like to share together. Last year we went on a hot air ballon flight. We still have to decide what we'd like to do this year.
My 15-year-old loves the idea and with all the other family and extended family she's not going completely without Christmas gifts. We all appreciate not having to stress about trying to fight the crowds and buy gifts for each other. The memory of the experience lasts far monger than the gifts ever would.
I loved this.
Consider this post disseminated to everyone.
Thanks Paul!
n/t
Gee, this is surprising:
The new guy sucking up to the boss.
>mutter mutter< I should demand a raise >mutters, shuffles feet, walks away< bastard >mutter<
Jim Downey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Like Science Fiction? Read *or listen to* my novel, Communion of Dreams, for free.
Oh Ye Of Little Faith
I was going to keep this a secret until New Years Day, but what the heck. I'm doubling your pay, and tripling your benefits. Just think of it as a holiday bonus.
No, no need to fall all over yourself singing my praises. I know how amazing I am already. *bows effusively*
This is the best Christmas ever!
Now I can get that yacht I've been eying -- and not the refurbished one!
Pfft.
Kids these days, I swear. A yacht is as good as you can do? It's Christmas, man, get yourself a Red Ryder!
Jim Downey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Like Science Fiction? Read *or listen to* my novel, Communion of Dreams, for free.
Isn't that the idea?
Atheists not having faith and all that?
>tiptoeing out of arms' reach and taking all the sufganiot with her<