Happy holidays

The more times I live through this time of year, the sadder the nonsense surrounding it makes me. Those who like the traditional US treatment of Christmas get plenty of support and validation, so this is for all the people who don't.

For all those of you who, like me, don't celebrate Christmas, I hope you've had a chance to get away from work for a while, relax, do whatever you feel like doing, and pause and take a deep breath before the next year. There are others out there like you, and not just people who believe in some other religion. You may not be able to tell it from television or even from your friends, but you're not alone. If, like me, your preference for this time of year is to find a quiet, warm cave to crawl into and stay out of the way of insane people, I hope you've been able to find a good one.

To all the people who, rather than following the rest of the country in bemoaning the commercialization of Christmas and then supporting it anyway, have chosen to resist societal pressure and simply not participate, I salute you. Again, you're not alone. Here's to giving people gifts when it fits and when you find something good.

For all of the people whose religions or spiritual beliefs are ignored and belittled, for all the people who are excluded by the attempts of Christianity to co-opt and control the winter holidays, for all the people who refuse to support religious discrimination even if it comes in the form of a charity, for all the people who know that American is not synonymous with Christian, I offer my little flame of support in a cold season.

For all of the people who understand that treating people decently, humanely, and with dignity is not a seasonal issue, who give some thought to how people are going to find food and shelter in February and October, and who find an extra amount of patience during the rudeness and insanity of the Christmas shopping season, you are my heroes. My gifts to charity will continue and increase after the holiday season.

I've found my hole to curl up into. I'm working on INN for fun, reading when I feel like it, watching football, and ignoring Christmas. I'm having a wonderful holiday break. I hope all of you do as well.