Every time there is a holiday, I get all sentimental like a total idiot. It can be the most major or the most inconsequential of days, I still get all verklempt.
Independence Day: Oh, my god! I love America SO MUCH!
Labor Day/Memorial Day/Veteran's Day: Oh, my god! I love the troops SO MUCH! I am SO PROUD of our troops!
Earth Day/Arbor Day: Oh, my god! I love the Earth SO MUCH! Let's all save the Earth!
Valentine's Day: Oh, my god! I love Scott SO MUCH!
Election Day: Oh, my god! I love America SO MUCH!
And on and on. You can imagine, then, how rough the time between Halloween and New Year's is for me. It's a crazy emotional roller coaster ride between total euphoria (at the fact that the holidays are awesome) and total hysterics (at the fact that the holidays are awesome.) I get teary-eyed when sentimental holiday commercials come on (and don't even get me started about It's a Wonderful Life.) I walk around in a total haze of good will towards my fellow men. And if I should ever see somebody acting like a crazy person because of the holidays, I think, "Oh, how sad. They must have forgotten how AWESOME the holidays are!"
As an example, last night I went to pick up pizza for myself and my friends. Our pizzas were still cooking, so I had to wait a few minutes. Thankfully, they have a television, and thankfully, Beauty and the Beast was on. As a child raised in the 90's, that movie embodies my childhood experience. Maybe seeing that movie primed my emotional response. I'm not sure. All I know is that after I paid, I wished the cashier "Happy Thanksgiving!" and found the words sticking in my throat and that familiar sting behind my eyes. As I walked into the parking lot, that self-critical part of me reared up: You idiot! You don't even know that guy! Why should you care if he has a happy Thanksgiving! But then, the compassionate, emotional part of myself answered back: Because, Thanksgiving is an awesome holiday! And everyone has something to be thankful for! And I hope that guy can celebrate with his family and friends!
And so I say to everyone: Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Remember what you have in this life to be grateful for. Even if it's just that the sun came up again today.
Now, where are the tissues?
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