Richard Olmer

Every year as Christmas approaches (and it approaches earlier and earlier each year), I go through various stages of cheer or the lack of cheer.

First, there is anger and frustration as orange pumpkins vie for shelf space with stuffed Santas. This actually worsens as turkeys and canned cranberry sauces join the melange seeking eye-level space on the shelves of mega grocery establishments. Whatever happened to the mom and pop corner grocery?

After a Thanksgiving feast and my once-a-year opportunity to see high school football on television, things improve slightly as pro football gets serious and pro basketball and college hoops begin to get some press. There’s still political “stuff” in the papers and on the TV, but it has gotten so passe that no one really cares. And, I can begin to listen to holiday music via my satellite link (cable never gave me this choice). The music raises my spirits, as does the chance to put up my Christmas tree.

Years ago, when Candy ran her own business, we would have a Christmas party for her staff in early December. We got into the habit of having a tree up and decorated throughout December.

Since she was working hard, I usually got to do the tree and spruce up the house. I know that “real men” are not supposed to enjoy (or even do) such things, but it became an addiction with me. It also was a chance to have quality time with my cats.

In the past, Christmas often was a reason to go to Colorado and visit family … it also was a chance to sneak away for a few days of wonderful skiing.

Today, we try to convince our kids that it is their time to travel to us to reacquaint themselves with their “parental units.” It often doesn’t work, but that’s not too bad. After all, the Olympic Mountains are snow-covered just like the Rockies and they are closer. The skiing is not so good, but grandparents aren’t supposed to float down long, groomed trails on two parallel slats of laminated, composite materials.

Which leads to the true gift of Christmas. For 50 years and more, a vacation meant packing bags and enduring lines and sitting hours in cramped, small seats to get to somewhere beautiful, quiet and pristine.
Now I live in such a place. That is a wonderful gift and one that I thank God for every day of my life.
Christmas is, all things said, simply a state of mind. I am blessed for the opportunity to be here.

Oh, there are irritants to be sure. There are threats of rampant, unmanaged, expansion and overcrowding. There are those who desecrate hallowed ground and are discourteous, loud or boisterous. Yet these irritants are just that … distractions.

This place remains shrouded in magic and beauty. There will be change and shocks and insults; but the mountains will stay for a few more million years. The snow will come back each winter. The rain still will hang in the air and refuse to actually fall.

We truly live in a very special corner of God’s creation. And, I haven’t even mentioned Dungeness Spit or Rialto Beach or Shi Shi Beach or a thousand other places that are special. As a good friend often says, “Life is good.”

Reach Rich Olmer at columnists@sequimgazette.com.