Christmas Shopping

* It’s Christmas letter time again. Why is my spirit not responding? The halls of the malls are all decked, their Santas in place. The store clerks are in hiding to make our seasonal game more spirited. All things considered, why then is my spirit so weak?

Each year it seems harder to rush forth to buy the gifts, the clothes and gadgets that stand an odds-on chance to be returned.

Somehow this wasn’t the opening I’d intended, so will set this aside until my calendar pressures action and with deadline despair I’m moved to dive into the crowds. Yes, then, shoulder to shoulder, even bolder and bolder, each day will see modern commerce raise my and other kindred spirits into another merry Christmas.

ROBERT E. LEITER

Fullerton