Happy Tuesday!

{Published in the Stephenville Empire-Tribune 12/06/11)

I’m going to stray from my usual monthly essay on education to take this opportunity to wish everyone Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving has just passed. Thanksgiving is my personal favorite holiday because it has been set aside for no other reason than to just be grateful. What a great reason for a holiday! Despite all of the problems we face in this country (and I, for one, think we face many) we still have so much to be grateful for.

Thanksgiving is also the most relaxing holiday. It is free from the stress and commercialism of Christmas and it lacks the bitter sweetness of New Year’s Day which usually marks the end of the holidays. Besides gratitude, Thanksgiving at my house is also dedicated to family (love those grand-daughters), food (yes I like to cook), and football (Gig ‘em Aggies! Go Cowboys!). It doesn’t get any better than that.

Traditionally, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of what is euphemistically called the Holiday Season. I suppose it is a sign of our times that calling this the Holiday Season, or wishing someone ”Happy Holidays” gives a few people heartburn. Last year the student council of my high school put a poster in the school lobby proclaiming “Happy Holidays!” I happened to overhear several teachers grouse about the “political correctness” of the poster. Now I am a writer, not a debater, so I kept my mouth shut. But at that moment I wanted to paraphrase the immortal words of Rodney King and shout out, “People can’t we all just lighten up?” I have never understood how wishing someone happiness, of any kind, could be considered offensive.

My column is published on Tuesday, so if you are reading this it must be Tuesday. If someone were to pass me today and say “Happy Tuesday,” I know I would automatically feel a little bit better. As a matter of fact I would like to declare today as Happy Tuesday. We already have “So happy its Thursday” and “Thank God it’s Friday.” Why shouldn’t we celebrate Tuesday?  Anytime you pass someone today, wish them a “Happy Tuesday.” I guarantee you will get a smile. A somewhat puzzled smile maybe, but a smile nonetheless.

I’m aware that some people believe that the phrase “Happy Holidays” is an attack on Christmas and an assault on their faith. To my knowledge this is a relatively recent phenomenon. I am in my 60^th year, and somehow my faith has endured six decades of vicious happiness wishes. I didn’t even know I was under attack, so my faith must have prevailed because I have always given as good as I have received.

Wishing someone happiness, for any reason, in any season, is good. Knowing that someone cares enough to wish happiness upon you can’t help but brighten your day. I know it does mine. Take the time to wish someone happiness today.  I believe this is what The Reason For The Season would want us to do.

In this month’s column I have decided to follow my own advice and “lighten up.” This does not mean my passion for advocating for Texas public schools has abated in the least. The political campaign season is starting soon with the future of education on the line. I believe it will start out as a cold and bitter campaign and end with high heat and humility. So, after a pause for the holidays, I will return next month as outspoken as ever for public education.

But now is a time for rest, reflection, gratitude, and happiness. I hope everyone enjoys the holidays. Merry Christmas to all, Happy New Year, and oh, by the way… Happy Tuesday.