It's funny how things work out. I'm leaving for the States in four days, and already plans are beginning to solidify. An invitation for coffee with an old friend from high school now includes my daughter and a day of shopping in downtown Seattle. I suspect my son will join in, too.
It's been years since I've been in the city during the winter holidays (actually, it's been several years since I've been downtown at all!). Intellectually, I know The Bon Marche is gone, Macy's in its place, but I still expect to see Christmas in its windows. I'm not sure what street decorations will be up, but I assume there will be some. Still, I know things aren't the same as they once were.
Christmas Trees are now called Holiday Trees by some, and SeaTac Airport got sued by someone a couple of years back for having a tree up while not recognizing other holidays: Political correctness gone mad.
In a few minutes I'll be heading up to my school's auditorium to attend the Christmas Service for our 12th graders and 7th graders. The highlight will be when the seniors sing Handel's "Halleujah!" chorus. Of course, I teach in an all-girls private Christian school here in Japan, but I actually like the traditions of Christmas. It's the PK in me still.
One of my goals is to try to get my parents to a Christmas Eve service. They've pretty much stopped going to church: Mom's eyesight is almost gone, and Dad's hearing is shot. It must be hard on them, I think, not going to church, when their whole lives revolved around the church for so long.
So plans are being formed. I'll be back in four days.
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