Friday, December 13, 2013

Pre-Christmas in Suburbia

The past two weeks have been strange and wonderful in New Milford, NJ.

It all started on "Small Business Saturday," a nationwide marketing event designed to be the antidote to the packed shopping malls on Black Friday.

Good idea. But, no joke, my hometown decided to post its "Welcome to the Neighborhood" Small Business Saturday banner on the local funeral parlor.

Then last week I was invited to a business meeting where the dress code was "business jeans." I shudder at the thought.

Finally, after last night's bitter cold, I awoke this Friday the 13th to the sound of something scurrying behind our bedroom walls.

"It's elves," my wife whispered. We're eternal optimists.

My wife dressed warmly for work, topping it off with a Notre Dame pullover.

"It's dress-down day," she explained.

"When you wear Notre Dame gear," I corrected her, "it's actually dress-UP day."

It's evening now, and she's attending a grade-school holiday show. She just texted me that she's coming home early: "I leave when 11 years olds sing 'All I want for Christmas Is You'!"

I told her not to worry, that they were no doubt singing it to Jesus.