Holiday Blues

Every year at the holidays, I get the blues.

I get the blues periodically anyway - something I have to be aware of, and cautious about - but I can always count on it this time of the year.

I'm not sure why. Unrealistic expectations? Too many memories? Too much going on? Too many people? The heightened emotions?

When the blues hit I get testy and defensive. My stomach knots or gets sour. I get tension headaches. I want to get away. I want to go into my shell.

When we have people over for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I always seem to disappear into the kitchen to do the dishes. It's become such a given that the sink is referred to as my "post." Dad's at his post again.

Dad is hiding.

The fact that the term "Holiday Blues" even exists indicates that I'm not alone in getting these feelings. I'm sure there are all sorts of learned studies of the phenomenon. There are probably also lots of articles in magazines and newspapers, full of speculation, possible causes, doses of pop psychology, and, of course, remedies.

Get counseling.

Focus on the positive.

Take two happy pills and don't see us until after the holidays.

It occurs to me that I should offer it up when I get in these moods. Something so negative? Sure. It's a part of my life. It's a suffering I experience. By doing so, I can turn something negative into a positive.

Lord, I offer you my blues.

Pax et bonum