Here I am at the end of yet another year with yet another romp of a hoot full of xmas songs. It never ceases to amaze me that I can gather such a fine group of players and friends and coax them to play holiday music with the meager bait of a plate of cold bbq and the probability that I will get this done in time to wrap at least one present whilst listening to. I am forever grateful to the cast of players - Robbie, JeffB, Mike, Matt, Joey, Jaimers, Jimmy, Ramsey, Maxie, Rob and Deb, Kev, Amy, Freddy, Charles, Claude.... plus all the fine folks who I would never have met if they didn't get dragged to my little annual shindig.
There were a couple of times where I didn't want to do this silly xmas song thing - either feeling overwhelmed with life's regular responsibilities or saddened by the realization that happiness is fleeting. 2010 was particularly hard to gear up for as I had been greeted with the news of the death of a musical mentor on Christmas Day the prior year and the holiday spirit did not really feel the same. However, every year someone would tell me how much they were looking forward to hanging out and playing just to play and somehow I would muster up the gumption to get the hoot happening.
I, like the Whos, have come to find that the spirit of mankind - the camaraderie and compassion mixed with the ever present urge to have a good time and belt it out - is everpresent. The end of each year and the cycle we celebrate will be here in our hearts. Whether big box stores have sales or not. Whether we decide to celebrate a deity or feast for the solstice. Whether we are haves or have nots. We will always have our fellowships and if we take the time to celebrate them - joy ensues. Like the song says - as long as we have we.
So here is to another year of we. I hope you enjoy the zonks - clinks clunks and jems included. Happy Holidays ya'll.
- rche
