When I was very young, my parents would often take us on vacation up north to visit my grandparents and other relatives.  The favorite topic of conversation on the drive up was whether there would be enough snow for sledding down the hills.  Well, it was my favorite topic of conversation, anyway!  I couldn’t wait to go sledding, and every year I spent the whole long car ride wishing and wishing for snow.

Nowadays, I still like snow…I like to watch it fall, from inside a warm house!   When it’s snowing, I am perfectly content sitting in a comfortable chair beside the fireplace reading a good book.  Sometimes I wonder where that kid went, the one who loved to rush down the hills, but then I am reassured by looking at my own kids, who still love snow and sledding and everything about Christmas.   We grownups grumble about holiday shopping and all the hassles of the season, but for the kids it is still pure magic.

So while you’re feeling stressed this holiday season and asking yourself whether all the effort is worth it,  take a moment to remember why we do it – because the holidays (whichever one you celebrate at this time of year) bring family together, make memories that last a lifetime, and let us “old folks” relive a little of that magic from our childhoods.

On behalf of the entire PBS team, we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday and a terrific New Year!

Richard
and the PaperBackSwap Team