This email has nothing to do with COVID, and only partially with LA.
Today is "Boxing Day" in England and other "British Empire" countries. Originally a day for gift giving, but now also a big shopping day. In my last email, I related the chagrin my young sons had when they found out that Scotty Lipman, who lived across the street, got gifts on each of the eight consecutive nights of Chanukah. So here are two more stories, from the memory of this senior citizen, about holidays, birthdays, and gifts.
Story #1: I was born on Christmas Eve, 1935. (That's also Anthony Fauci's birthday, but he is younger than I by five years.) Growing up, I had three aunts, all long gone now. Often, each would give me one present at this season, and it would be marked "Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas". Now, I was a bright enough kid, so, immediately, I was thinking that I should be getting two presents each; one for my birthday and another for Christmas. I am being short-changed, I thought!
Like a lot of slights that faded with the passing years, this has not mattered since I was about 10. Then, I converted to Judaism about 20 years ago, and no longer celebrate Christmas. But I guess I'm now too old to benefit from the Chanukah tradition of one-gift-for-eight-nights-in-a-row. Sad.
Story #2: We recently got reconnected with our former (2007-2012) next-door neighbors, Kim and Patrick. We moved away, then they moved away, and we lost contact. We just got an email from them, courtesy another former neighbor, Sean. This reminded me of this encounter years ago. Kim and Patrick have two sons, Grant and Cole. One day when Grant was four, I ran into Grant and Kim on the sidewalk outside our apartments. The following occurred:
Grant (addressing me): Today is my birthday. Are you coming to my party?
Me (I had not been invited, so grasping for a response): Sorry, I can't make it, Grant, but I am sure it will be a lot of fun.
Grant: Are you going to give me a present anyway?
At this point, Kim intervened, and told Grant that that was not polite...he should not be asking people for presents. Kim then turned to me and apologized for Grant's behavior. I was having trouble trying to suppress my laughter. Grant appeared to be momentarily embarrassed, and looked down at the pavement for a second or two. Then he recovered.
Grant (addressing me): Well, are you?
His mother gasped. I said goodbye, have fun at your party.
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It rained on Tuesday. Not much, about 10 minutes, and not a downpour. But we'll take it. More in the forecast (50%) for this coming Monday. I'll believe it when it comes.
Belated Merry Christmas to all. Stay safe.
Coleman
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We have a lot of dogs in our neighborhood. And many of them are outfitted with sweaters. And this is the time when people trod out their Christmas sweaters. So, this was bound to happen. Meet the newest of Santa's elves.
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