Well, quarter-Jewish, actually. Though what little religious training I had was in Judaism. And more agnostic than atheist, perhaps. But here's the deal.
This is the second Christmas without my father...and the whole holiday season has a lot less meaning.
But hey, I'm not the only one in this boat. I'm sure there are plenty of us here missing a father, a mother, a sibling, a lover...whether they've passed away, or are simply far away.
So maybe posting some favorite holidays songs will help us along. I'll start off.
The first music I remember listening to as a child was Louis Armstrong. Satchmo was a regular feature on the Friday nights of my wee childhood. Hello, Dolly! is the only song I remember, but we just plain wore the groves off of the record.
My grandfather, my father's father, had a raspy voice...likely from too many cigars...that must have sound at least a bit like Armstrong. Not long ago my (slightly) younger brother told me that when we were small he thought the record was our grandfather.
And that he was very confused the first time he saw Satch on TV and heard the voice he mistook for our grandfather.
Louis Armstrong and White Christmas...what a great combination. How can it go wrong?
Happy Holidays to all!