Hanukkah Sameach!

Heri za Kwanzaa!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Winter Solstice!

No matter what flavor of the holidays you may subscribe to, it is very difficult to get through this time of year without at least acknowledging that December is a time of transition, smiles, and getting together with friends and family. From ancient times, that day in late December when the world went from getting colder and darker to warmer and lighter meant we were emerging from a tunnel of darkness, that things were getting better, and that crops and abundance were just a few months away (at least for the northern hemisphere!).

I can’t think of a better analogy for this holiday season Primetimers. And I can think of no group of people I’d rather celebrate that transition with than all of you.

November saw no less than 47 in-person events (more than one per day) on our calendar (along with almost daily online events), and hopefully you were able to attend at least some of them. Even in this busy time of year, Primetimers opened their homes, sought out concerts, led hikes, and of course tossed back a few in the midst of spirited conversations in order that we might all benefit. As always, our Event Hosts work hard to help make us all a little smarter, a little calmer, and a little happier. We couldn’t do it without you, and I for one will be eternally grateful.

As for this month, we’ll say goodbye to old friends, learn a little more, show off our ugly holiday sweaters, visit some museums and, of course, see a few movies.

But most of all, I hope you’ll join us on December 17 for our annual holiday get together to reminisce, eat, drink, and be merry. There’s still a few tickets left, and it should be a great night.

https://www.meetup.com/primetimeatx/events/289262185/

I would also encourage you to join co-organizers Jeffrey and Mireya in San Antonio December 23rd and 24th for a spectacular stroll down the famed San Antonio Riverwalk during their annual holiday light festival. Yes we have our beautiful Trail of Lights here in Austin, but I admit that seeing the Riverwalk light up and maybe even participating in the boat caroling is something special. Wish I could go.

https://www.meetup.com/primetimeatx/events/290008592/

But most of all I would encourage to just stop and take a look around once in awhile this holiday season. Yes, you are sure to see stressed shoppers, stupid traffic snarls, and perhaps a few relatives you wished had stayed home. But if you just look around, you will also see extraordinary acts of love and kindness, often by and for complete strangers, that you just won’t see most of the rest of the year. As Charles Dickens noted in his immortal classic A Christmas Carol, the difference between cynicism and joy is merely a choice of how you want to look at the world. And there’s no better time to make the right choice than this month.

Wishing you a happy holiday season and a peaceful New Year Primetimers.

Gregg, on behalf of Louise, Andy Mireya and Jeffrey