Commercial Christmas is meant to be happy. Even the birth of Christ is a happy moment. Therefore, no sad, sentimental stories should be told at Christmas time. I will say many charities thrive on sad stories to generate donations. OK, do those stories on Black Friday. After that, only happy stories, movies, songs, and any other form of media. Too many people are suffering at Christmas because of some personal reason: death, divorce, illness...too many to list. Suicide is high at Christmas time. No need for sad stories exists!!!
One time I was driving to my parents' home for my Christmas vacation. It might be hard to believe, but I rarely used the radio even though the drive was nearly two hours and a half. However, I turned the radio on that evening's trip. The radio station I turned to was showcasing the top twenty-five (I really can't remember the number, but they lasted the entire trip) saddest Christmas songs. I cried all the way. What possessed me to remain on that station can not be determined. I think I was totally surprised about the multitude of sad songs. What possesses song writers to write tearjerkers--for Christmas no less!!
I watched a story on NBC this morning. I knew I should have turned the station. It was about a little girl who had died of brain cancer. All day long that sadness has stayed in my mind. I had a teacher friend one time who really liked sad stories because they made him realize how well off he was. Sad stories do not have that effect on me.
I plead--Media outlets, please put a moratorium on sadness during the month of December. Maybe keep sadness out until April when the sun starts shining again. It's OK to make people laugh. It's good to make people laugh and/or smile.
Merry Christmas!! (How can anyone say that after being depressed by a sentimental story?) While I'm at it--Have a Happy 2011!!!
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