Happy Holidays

There have been times that I have been taken to task for wishing people "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."  Let me explain my position. You see, in my family we celebrate all of the holidays of the season, so, the conglomerate greeting seems the most apropos.

My family is a true microcosm of society. We, like the rest of the human race, come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and beliefs. I recently overheard a contemporary say the he wouldn't want his kids to marry outside of their race because he was afraid the kids would suffer. My family believes that there is only one race and that is the human race. I have a daughter who graduated from medical school at the top of her class and now has a very successful practice with 2 offices and 4 doctors. Another daughter is a registered EMT who ran a doctors office and has now chosen to be a stay-at-home Mom to my wonderful granddaughters whom she home schools while running a small business from home. My next daughter in line, graduated with a Masters degree from SMU with honors. My fourth daughter is a senior in high school, in all honors and AP classes doing college work with honors. She is also first chair flutist in the finest orchestra in her school, a post she's held for all 4 years. Did I mention that they are all extremely beautiful on the outside as well? We should all have to suffer like that.

I am a Jew and was raised celebrating Hanukkah, the commemoration of the reclamation of the Temple and the survival of a people. My wife is an African -American Christian who was always taught that the meaning of Christmas was to give the gift of ourselves to others to try and make the world just a little bit better place to be. It's what Jesus did.  We light the candles in the menorah at Hanukkah and all of the kids know the prayer…in Hebrew. We have a tree at Christmas and we always spend our day, as a family, feeding the homeless. And, we celebrate Kwanzaa, the African-American holiday that began in 1969 that reinforces the seven principals of Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith, principles that have, over the years, only made us stronger as a family unit. We also follow the tradition of telling stories of those who came before us. It helps to remind us where we came from and who we are.  

We also have at least one Muslim in the family and I lived I Puerto Rico and still enjoy the celebration of Tres Reyes…or Three Kings Day….when in practically every barrio on the Island, people open their doors and go from house to house in celebration of the season. Tres Reyes happens 12 days after Christmas and keeps the celebratory mood alive well into the New Year.

Yes, my family is a true microcosm of society.  When you put together all of the cultures, colors, languages and lands that make up the fabric of our family unit, you can see how amazingly rich we are in understanding and respect for others. When we look at each other, all we see is family and that will always come first.

So, as I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa, please know that it is from the bottom of my heart and understand that, should our paths cross at any time during the season, you should feel free to wish me any of the above or……Happy Holidays.


THAT'S HOW I FEEL……………………WHAT CAN I TELL YA'