Whistling Christmas Songs in November

When I was younger, each month had some holiday to look forward to. I wasn't necessarily focusing on the message that each one sent, but the simplest result of being out of school and exempt from any and all work for 24 hours. That one day was complete bliss. How easily satisfied I was (and still am) with the idea of a 4 day week.

The month of December however, was/is (I guess that's a matter of opinion) the best month of all. Each school or university generously allots their students over a week to enjoy and celebrate this popular holiday. Although the month starts and ends like any other, the spirit of December begins immediately around Thanksgiving.

Stores, little to big, decorate their windows with spray frost, which conveniently lines the glass while lending itself perfectly to the advertising of their product. Designer bags are showcased within frayed cotton balls or laundry detergent textured material that was supposed to assume the role of snow. All while Christmas music whispered sweet hints of it's looming influence on the hole that will be burnt into your pocket.

It comes like a whirlwind. The excitement takes over and, while tree sales hit an all time high, people want time to go a bit quicker so we can go on with the celebration. I'm not sure if it's the actual break from working and vacation everyone is looking forward to, or if it's the idea that families really do come together and the giving spirit kicks in.

No matter what the reason is for everyones elation, I have come to one conclusion. The best part of this month, when you strip away the gifts and the relaxing break, is really the change in each individuals attitude. Somehow things get lighter, no matter what the financial straights or current issues are. People are more courteous, and speak to each other with more sincerity than Shari Lewis to Lamb Chop; for lack of a better child television show reference from my time.

It's not that I have just discovered this recently, but was presented with it just a few weeks ago. Target was packed; more specifically the card sections. It took me forever to find the perfect card for my friend. Fortunately I was able to pick one from any holiday as long as it said happy Halloween, happy Thanksgiving and merry Christmas in one (she was, after all, missing all of them while studying abroad). Of course I chose the one that made me laugh the loudest in the isle; which always requires and encompasses the humor of a middle schooler.

Later on that day, I ended up standing proudly at the post office (impressed with the timeliness that I was mailing some of my Christmas cards) waiting in what seemed like the line for the first midnight showing of Harry Potter. How prepared I thought I was for bringing the exact amount of change for 5 stamps. I knew this would surprise the mail woman. However, she unexpectedly surprised me. Not realizing the inflation of prices in stamps, I found myself short by 94 cents. (Don't ask me how that happened. I am still puzzled by the math.)

I believe I looked at her confused for a good 3 minutes before I was saved by the older woman standing directly behind me. "I have a quarter," she said to me. She then promptly turned to the thousands of people behind her and said, "does anyone have 69 cents?" It was then that I realized that each person in line was rummaging through their pockets and purses to get me, a complete stranger, the 94 cents I needed to send my middle school humored card to my best friend in Japan.

I ended up getting all 5 stamps and repeating the phrase "thank you" to every person in line. And, as if I were in a feel good Lifetime movie, each person smiled back at me until a man at the end of the line finished the ordeal perfectly by opening the door for me and saying, "beauty before age."