Met with a grumpy old man, a friend of mine with a heart of gold today. He always affectionately addresses me as "son". He is in hospital on a long recovery. I took my son along as he likes this curmudgeon. It was our "Christmas presence" for him. He was very happy to see us and in his usual manner gave my son some advice fondly with his put-on "grinch face". He always spoke about not giving gifts on occasions, not wasting money and that too borrowed money... He wants the younger generation to avoid debt whenever possible.
As expected he remarked about the supposed spirit of Christmas being lost and all the commercialization and politics he hated.
"You know what? I would rather people did not pretend and do anything special for so many on the one day of the year. Why not treat people that way throughout the year? That's the way it is supposed to be" he said.
I looked at him and smiled as I knew how much he enjoyed special gestures as gifts rather than stuff. I knew he also liked to tease or rile up people and complain about things as a habit.
"Surely, you would not be entirety happy if things were like that? Everyone being nice to each other all year long, every year.. year after year..," I said looking at his mischievous eyes as they started to develop a twinkle.
"How about one day a year set aside when one does not have to be lovey-dovey, sweet, nice and kind to everyone? How about a day with an anti-Christmas spirit? You don't have to pretend to be a loving and giving on that one day? What do you think?" I asked.
"That would be perfect, even better than what I just said," he said as he smiled broadly...
Copyright © Kannan Narayanamurthy 2018
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