I have had absolutely no regrets about how I have lived my life (to date), with possibly the sole exception of consistently taking jobs that pay less than the previous ones. Furthermore, I am only in my early mid thirties (a euphemism to say the least) and it’s not even the Friday after Thanksgiving yet, but I really feel like going back in time.

I am dying to be seven years old or maybe eight or nine and back home at Christmas time. I would even settle for anytime between October and December 30th. Even though there was always something slightly threatening about October 31st, Halloween was an exciting time for being a kid. And I always loved Thanksgiving in New Jersey. And then there was the happiest, most expectant time of the year, Christmas.

Last year when my Bro came to visit, he brought the Arrested Development series on DVD, and I loved to hear the Vince Guaraldi Trio playing “Christmas Time is Here” whenever Gob was sad. My sister and I used to go crazy over all of the Christmas TV Specials, and I still feel something nostalgic and special whenever I hear the lyrics to “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” being sung.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on your troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on your troubles will be miles away

Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore,
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us, once more

Through the years we all will be together,
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

But for the time being, I will have to wait until Friday, November 23, to listen to my favorite songs, and until December 20, inshallah, until “I’ll be home for Christmas”.