The most wonderful time of the year

(A version of this story ran in December 2021.)

If you’re one of the lucky ones, you woke up today wondering what day it is. Yes, you’re completely oblivious to the day. I’m not talking about waking up in a drunken stupor. No, no, no one likes an alcohol-induced hangover.

Instead, I’m talking about the days immediately before and after Christmas, right up until the start of the New Year. It’s a time of good cheer and, dare I say, relative peace.

If you have to work, it’s not a picnic, but most people find themselves in a relatively good mood. You’re talking about what Aunt Sally got you for Christmas or what you have planned for New Year’s Eve. (The lone exception here, of course, are the poor souls working customer service and who have to process all the returns.)

Many other folks take time off at the holidays. You wake up when you want to get up. No alarm clocks. No racing to get into the city. You wake up and you’re really not sure what day it is, they all blend into one.

“Is it Monday? Tuesday? Wednesday? I really don’t know.”

Oh, there’s errands to run, there’s places to get to, and God forbid, you have to return a present to the store, but you still ease into the day. Your coffee tastes better. You finally have time for breakfast. You’re excited to just hang with your family. You can be you and not worry.

I’m too young to think about retirement, I have way too many years to work, but it’s how I imagine retirement will be. At least how I’m hoping it will be, a life where the toughest question of the day is: “Oh yea, what do I feel like doing today?”

Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.