Tis the Season

It’s still two weeks before Christmas, but somehow I got the bug to start decorating this place.  Usually I don’t touch anything Christmas until 12 days out, but somehow the blandness of the camp was getting to me.  On our late-start day, I came in early, going deep into the storage rooms.  Before long I found the X-Mas kitsch stash left by others before me. A fake tree, some lights, garland, a few wreaths and large box of bulbs.  Within an hour I was on a decorating frenzy, others showed up and joined in.  Little by little, Christmas was soaking into our can.  More importantly, we set a high bar for the other cans.  Folks are now taking selfies in front of ours to send home.  This is good.

My Afghan Interpreters asked about the meaning of the Christmas tree, Santa and the lights.  I told them in a story-like fashion that Americans try to make all religious holidays fun so we don’t kill each other.  The tree was a compromise to the Druids and Santa, well who can resist an old man who sneaks into your house to give something special to your children!!!