Among many of my peers, it’s very unpopular to like Christmas. It’s too commercial or it’s a Christian holiday stolen from the Pagans or whatever other gripe you might have about the holiday but personally, I like Christmas.

When I was growing up, I didn’t get big presents or trips to Disney World for Christmas. My Mom had a knack for buying me some pretty bad clothing and we were poor, so our gifts were always few and humble.

I live far from my parents and brothers so Christmas can be a lonely time for me. It seems that most of my friends go home to visit family or have their own celebrations to observe and it ends up just being me and my faithful dog, alone on Christmas.

This year, I decided to travel to Colorado to visit my brother for Christmas. In all likelihood, he and I will drive down to Oklahoma to visit our parents for the holidays. I haven’t seen my family in over 2 years, so it’s due time. It’s too bad that I won’t be able to see my brother Tom and his family but I can’t afford to make it to Myrtle Beach SC this year. Tickets are nearly $900 to South Carolina over the holidays and that’s a little steep for me.

Of course, my beloved dog Bruno will be traveling with me. I have to take him to the vet and get him certified to fly with me. Since he’s my Assistance dog, it won’t cost anything for him to fly with me and I can carry him on with me as carry-on luggage. Fortunately, Bruno is a good traveler. I take him with me everywhere I go.

I don’t do the mall so I spare myself from that sort of nightmare. I do all of my Christmas shopping on-line and let Amazon.com take care of the packing and shipping.

I try to make the best of the holidays by enjoying the things about Christmas that I like. I like Christmas music, holiday foods and pretty lights. It’s such a simple thing, but they always cheer me up and make me smile. The skating rink and Christmas Tree are already being built at Union Square. I like to attend the Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies that happen this month all over the city.

If I can, I’d like to go to the Christmas Fair this month. I’ve missed it in years past because I wouldn’t go alone, but I just might go this year and take my dog Bruno with me. They recreate a Victorian Christmas village and have plays and other holiday performances. Oh, and FOOD.

Christmas can be depressing because I’ve felt lonely and been a bit broke, but this year I’m hoping for a wonderful Christmas. I’m not rich but I had enough money to buy a plane ticket to see family this year, so that’s my Christmas gift to myself. Maybe even see some snow while I’m in Colorado! Not enough to mess up my travel plans, just enough to play with and be pretty to look at. I’ll be happy to see my brother Terry and my parents. I might even get to see my Korean cousins while I’m in Oklahoma. That would be nice! Some Christmases are good and some truly suck but I’m hoping for a very Merry Christmas this year.