It's
85 degrees outside but I can walk into a South Florida mall and see a
Christmas tree, a kid sitting on Santa's lap, watch another kid throw a
fake snowball, hear "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" on the loudspeaker
and it is Christmas for me!!!

       

Now
my Christmas may not acknowledge Christ or any religious aspect that a
Christian may but I feel as warm, as moved, surrounded by cheers of "Merry Christmas" or seeing pins on women's clothes of lit up Santa Clauses
as anyone can. I look around and I think of "Peace on earth, good will
to men" whether it is looking as a Christmas wreath or a Hanuka bush.

I
was 16 and saw myself as a sophisticated man of the world with my
cashmere leather trimmed, falling just below the knee, overcoat,
leather gloves, brown fur earmuffs and a cashmere scarf thrown around
my neck in cavalier fashion about to take my first horse and carriage
ride through Central Park with someone I had just met in the Oak Room
of the Plaza hotel. I can tell you every inch of that ride and the
beauty of being in the park in the middle of Manhattan surrounded by
towering buildings sparkling like many colored jewels on  a dark, snowy
night three days before Christmas but I couldn't tell you a thing about
the person I was with.

I
started this series off by saying I probably will never experience
another Christmas season in New York but my memories of such magical
times in my life will be with me forever. Whether I hear a choir
singing carols or "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" or "All I Want For
Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" heard on the speakers in a mall or see
and/or smell holly, mistletoe, a pine tree or a nativity scene or a
menorah or Santa Claus or watching "It's a Wonderful Life" an
unforgettable time will come rushing to me.

     

It's a little over 5 weeks before the Christmas/Hanukkah, a little too early to start celebrating, but it is never too early for

"Peace on earth and good will towards men"

I
hope that each of you who have never experienced the magic, the wonder,
the awe, the excitement, the meaning of the holiday, get at least one
chance to have Christmas in New York City.