RAINER’S RAMBLINGS
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
By RAINER ARNOLD

I always look forward to the Christmas Season because I love to get stuff. But I also dislike it because I worry if I have given everyone enough that is supposed to get something.

Then what if I forget someone or someone brings me something and I do not have anything for them? I guess that is why the psychiatrists of the world state emphatically that Christmas brings about a lot of stress.

And, I agree with that. When I was a kid I would worry about getting what I really wanted. I mean in Germany Santa came with a bag and a switch.

Later I would always wonder if I did well in my selection of gifts. Once I had kids I would be stressed out that I had gotten them everything they wanted and that one did not get more than the other. Now, I thought since I am old this stress would

disappear. But it hasn’t. I have kids living here in Georgia with grandkids. I have a son that is living in Scotland with his wife and 4 kids. I have another son living in Thailand with his wife.

I have a brother in Florida and in-laws in Florida. The list goes on. If I buy everyone a little bit of something I will spend a thousand dollars I don’t have. Oh, I almost forgot I have a wife and that adds to the total also.

Then I have co-workers and nice people I know. So, what is a guy to do.?

So, I am going back to the old adage of “Do the best you can do” and if that does not make some happy. I am sorry. Too bad Christmas has gotten to be more commercial than the spirit of Christmas. But either way. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.