See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Stanley P. Gershbein
Brooklyn Daily
I open this week, as I do every year at this time, by wishing my friend and colleague, Shavana Abruzzo, a very Happy Anniversary. Twenty-five years ago today, she and I applied for a job in this newspaper’s original office in Sheepshead Bay. We were both hired and we’re still here celebrating our silver anniversary. Congratulations my dear and here’s to another 25 for you.
• • •
December 23 is upon us. For those who do not participate in the usual December holidays there is (drumroll please) Festivus for the rest of us! Did you set up your unadorned aluminum pole yet? What do you mean you didn’t get one? You may think of the Festivus as a big joke because it originated on “Seinfeld,” but did you know that there are two companies that actually manufacture the un-holiday poles? Google it and you will find that there really are people who do celebrate this un-holiday.
• • •
Everybody knows that advice columns receive many thousands of letters every week. It was truly an honor when a letter that I wrote some years ago was published in hundreds of newspapers all over the world. Here it is again with the hopes that it just might bring a smile to your face.
Dear Abby,
I just read the item you printed saying that if the three wise men had been women, they would have asked for directions, arrived on time, cleaned the stable, helped deliver the baby, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts.
What B.S.! They would have first had a wash, set, and manicure at the beauty salon, then head home to pick out a proper outfit. Then they would have changed the outfit five times, called everybody they knew to yak about the trip, and arrived late. Very late.
Stan Gershbein
• • •
This holiday season, there are men and women in our military serving selflessly around the world to protect us and will not be home for the holidays. Other service members are now home many with severe, life-altering injuries and facing serious mental, physical, and financial challenges each day. Let us take a few minutes out of our Christmas shopping and pause to say a prayer or two for a safe return and good health. You also might want to send a few bucks to your favorite veteran’s charity. You will be blessed.
• • •
It was two days after Thanksgiving and the second day of Hanukah when the sales gal in Cozumel seemed offended when I wished her a happy holiday season. She snapped a Merry Christmas back to me. Ogden Nash was an American poet known for his humorous short quotes. About 60 years ago, he peeked into the future and wrote “Merry Christmas, nearly everybody.”
I try to make everybody happy. I am StanGershbein@Bellsouth.net wishing 72 percent of you a very merry Christmas, 22 percent of you the happiest of holidays, and to all good health, wealth, and time.