I remember a time when Christmas meant something more than the amount of money spent on gifts for people you care about. Gone are the days when simply receiving a gift was good enough. Why is we feel the need to reciprocate gifts? Something purchased as an a symbol of friendship and love should not be immediately followed with a customary "I'll get you something as soon as I can..."
What the hell?
Saint Nicholas would be ashamed. He never once asked for a return on his investment of good will and tidings of joy. Christmas is not a ROTH IRA or a diversified portfolio. Spending money is a neccesity in a capitalistic society, not a way to expand your net worth.
Stop making comments that I spend too much or that you weren't expecting a gift and therefore were ill-prepared to give me something back in return. My God, the world has gone insane.
I remember waking up to the belief that a joly fat man had left a varitable fortune worth of free merchandise under a plastic tree trimmed with lights of false hope and garland glittering with years of childhood memories built upon a lie. Santa has been replaced with gift cards and statements of "I have the receipt if you don't like it" uttered before the gift has been unwrapped.
Stop it!
Let me live a lie. I want to believe the world can do something to save itself at least one day a fucking year. Why does it have to be shattered with idealistic comments, diluted beliefs and hand-me-down stories of Christmas Past?
I do believe in Santa Clause. He lives in the hearts of the few people willing to share a meal with a stranger or buy the one present a friend wants, but will not let themselves purchase due to other obligations.
I bear the weight of the world on my shoulders and etch my arms with the fire and brimstone we are all spiralling towards. My flesh is melted for every disrepesctful comment and ill-gotten thought made by everyone I encounter.
When you wake up in the morning, be grateful for the family and friends that call and not for the wrapped symbols of greed and selfpity left beneath your tree. Remember the times when you were young and money meant nothing except that a single dollar was a fortune and your parents' love was wealth unto itself. There will come a day when you find yourself abandoned by everyone and relying on the good will of a stranger to help you through the darkest moments of life. Will you look back on the light you shared with family and friends or withdrawal into the depths of a bottle to make it through?
-Robert
