I am going to throw PC, political correctne
ss, out the window and just say it, “Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year!” Not Hanukah. Not Kwanza. Not Festivus for the rest of us. Yes. All of these other holidays are just fine and dandy. Look. I’m Jewish. I make a mean potato latke, but let’s face it...Christmas rocks!
Since I was a little kid, this raised Orthodox Jewish kid has loved Christmas. No. We did not have a Christmas tree, but I soaked up and enjoyed the holiday. My earliest Christmas memory was me at four going through the enchanted forest in the basement of the downtown Goldsmith’s department store in Memphis and seeing Santa Claus. One year my mom even sprang for breakfast with Saint Nick. The memories were far better than the stale donut and watered down hot chocolate they gave us.
I loved running over to my friends’ homes to see their gifts, enjoying a Christmas treat. The sound of Christmas music, after Thanksgiving, warms my heart. For the few years I was dating/married to my second wife, we celebrated Christmas in the home. I loved seeing the look on Jerrod and Jordyn’s face when we surprised them with cell phones (wish I didn’t get them started on cells and texting so young).
The food, music, tv cartoon specials and overall uplifting of the spirits makes this my favorite time of the year! We really could use an extra Christmas come April 15th. My favorite part of the holiday is giving! To see the look on someone’s face when they open “just the right gift” is priceless. The appreciation received from volunteering Christmas morning at a nursing home each year of high school in Memphis so someone could celebrate with their family was great (not to mention the Chinese food and a movie the entire Jewish world enjoys).
The best gift I ever received was on Christmas Eve five years ago. I was in a very sad place about to get divorced, when I headed into McDonald’s for a quick bite. The lady behind the counter handed me a Christmas card she had purchased with her own money. I don’t remember the exact words, but that act touched me deeply. The tears flowed freely for a minute. As I left, I went up to that counter, thanked her for the gift and placed a hundred dollar bill in her hand and wished her a Merry Christmas! She tried to give it back, but I told her she’d do more good with it than me. That definitely was the best gift I’ve ever received...or given.
All this talk about Christmas and gifts is to make a point. This is a time of the year to truly count our blessings. There’s a Persian proverb that sums it up, “I complained of having no shoes, until I met a man with no feet.”
I feel very blessed to have you in my life. Whether it’s to read my ezine or entrust me with helping you grow and manage your catering business. Thank you!
Regardless of which holiday(s) you observe, on behalf of everyone at Restaurant Catering Systems, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year! We look forward to working with you in the years to come.
