Christmas spirit should be more than seasonal

Because I Said So column for The Commercial Appeal

Dec. 22, 2011

Charles Dickens and Ebenezer Scrooge remind us to seize the moment and to treat every day as though it were Christmas.

George Bailey and Clarence the angel remind us that no man is a failure who has friends.

Buddy the Elf reminds us that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

And Clark Griswold and Cousin Eddie remind us that it’s illegal to empty a chemical toilet into the storm sewer.

My 5-year-old daughter reminded me the other day that there are still no presents wrapped beneath our tree. There are presents, to be sure, just not wrapped as yet. But we’re busy, aren’t we? We parents with our jobs and bills and responsibilities. It’s easy to let the time of year slip away from us, or for its meaning to get lost in a knotted string of numbers and details … (read more)