Some pople spend better than half of a year looking forward to, planning, shopping for the ever approaching, ominous, Christmas Season. 
Well, for this writer, it comes, spews out the most miserable, disappointing day that the year has to offer, and finally closes as the evening progresses and continues past midnight.
Maybe it's the age, maybe it's the hopeful anticipation of once in my life receiving at least one of the desired gifts I kept to myself throughout the year, thinking that someone could pick up on it and surprise me with it.
For my first twelve years of existance, I received my annual supply of underwear, the obligatory bible, and some god-awful jeans that kids laughed at me when I wore them.  Days following those Christmases, I went to friends houses, and saw electric trains, automated robots, slot-cars, etc.  When asked what I got, I had to lie.  Who the hell would want to advertise he got a pair of Sears briefs and an abridged version of King James. 
Over the years, not much has changed.  My charming ex in-laws (who were millionaires) gave some really great gifts to their kids.  And as for me...I got a pen one year.  a K-Mart watch another.  But that's OK.  We had a mutual respect for each other.  I hated them as much as they hated me.  That made my holiday and I could hardly wait for next year to see if actually got a bucket of drywall screws. 
Hell,  I should just hang this miserable day of wasted expectation up and begin celebrating something of value, such as the day the buffet was invented.  But then again, I did download plans for an electric potato gun yesterday, so now I have a project that I have to myself for Christmas., April Fools day is more fun and is beginiing to be something to look forward to.  At least more than this mierable day.
Anyway...  I'm thankful that it's over for another year, and next year hopefully, I'll be wiser, losing what's left in my desire to believe in things that I know will never happen.  Merry Christmas to all, and to those who believe..... you dummies!!  Remember, by then, I should have one hell of an awesome potato gun!

 for, and waiting for the ever-approaching Christmas holiday season.