Stepping Away

© December 2025 by Peter V. Radatti

This month I’m stepping away from the technical subjects to prove that I’m still human—no matter how many people think I’m a Vulcan. (Star Trek reference intended.) Consider this a stream-of-consciousness letter from someone who still believes in old-fashioned goodwill.

I’m writing this in November. Thanksgiving is approaching, and the stores are already draped in tinsel and glowing lights. I still live in my childhood town of Conshohocken—but Conshohocken isn’t really here anymore. It has moved on and left me behind.

The slag heaps on Colwell Lane once glowed orange at night from the Allen Wood Steel mill. Now, neon reflections dance on the glass towers of new office blocks. Big John’s Bar is gone, replaced by The Rabbit Hole. Most of the old places are gone, replaced by high-end restaurants and rooftop lounges. Earlier this year, I stumbled across a dead body, and Beyond the Curve has reported two murders this year: that’s new too. The town has become a playground for the young and wealthy.

I don’t belong. I’ve never used Grubhub. I don’t consider $20 cocktails a sign of sophistication. A $120 dinner for two? Maybe, if it’s a porterhouse at Outback. I can still grill a better meal for less, with no pretense and better company. Luckily, I still have good friends, and they keep me from exploding.

The Fading Spark

Christmas seems to have lost its magic. Stores are desperate to get out of the red with “Black Friday” deals that start before Thanksgiving even ends. I don’t blame them, but I miss the time when the season felt like something more—a collective breath of kindness that transcended profit margins.

Today, too many people seem afraid to greet one another. We walk on eggshells, terrified that a friendly word might somehow offend. The result is that simple goodwill—the thing this season was built on—has vanished beneath a layer of anxiety.

Well, I refuse to play that game. So let me say this plainly:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

If you wish me joy in your own tradition, I’ll be equally happy. I understand that a greeting is not an argument; it’s a gesture of warmth. Somewhere along the way, we forgot that.

The Grinch in All of Us

“Happy Holidays” has become so vague that it often means nothing at all. The Grinch hasn’t just stolen Christmas—he’s stolen our courage to care out loud. His heart never grew two sizes; maybe ours have shrunk by two. We’ve Grinchicized society.

Christianity, in all its forms, remains the majority faith in the United States. That’s a simple fact, not a challenge. You don’t have to like it, but you also don’t have to complain when someone says Merry Christmas. Let’s allow sincerity back into our vocabulary. You can keep your faith—or lack of it—and still let others celebrate theirs.

So here’s my message this year: say what you mean, and mean it kindly. Bring back the magic of connection. That’s how hearts grow again.

Season’s Closing Message

As another year draws to a close, I want to extend my gratitude to everyone who has followed my writings, supported my projects, and shared thoughtful conversations throughout the year.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Yule, Kwanzaa, or simply the turning of the year itself—may this season bring you peace, laughter, and renewal.

From my home in Conshohocken to wherever you are, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

List of November & December Holidays

For those wondering which “holiday” we’re supposed to be happy about, here’s a glimpse of how many fill these two months. No wonder “Happy Holidays” sounds so vague.

NOVEMBER HOLIDAYS

Religious & Spiritual

• All Saints’ Day – November 1 (Christian)
• All Souls’ Day – November 2 (Christian)
• Día de los Muertos – November 1–2 (Mexico & Latin America)
• Diwali / Deepavali – Date varies (Hindu, Jain, Sikh)
• Bhai Dooj / Bhau-beej – Two days after Diwali (Hindu)
• Chhath Puja – Sixth day after Diwali (Hindu)
• Guru Nanak Gurpurab – Date varies (Sikh)
• Kartika Purnima / Dev Deepavali – Full moon in Kartik (Hindu)
• Vaikuntha Chaturdashi – 14th day of waxing moon (Hindu)
• Bhairava Ashtami – Ashtami of Krishna Paksha (Hindu)
• Karthika Deepam – Full-moon day (Tamil regions – Hindu)
• Eitaikyo – Observed in November (Jodo-Shinshu Buddhist)

National / Cultural

• Unity Day (Russia) – November 4
  • Guy Fawkes Night – November 5 (UK, Commonwealth)
  • Veterans Day (U.S.) – November 11
  • Remembrance Day (Commonwealth) – November 11
  • Armistice Day (Europe) – November 11
  • Loy Krathong – Full moon of the 12th Thai month (Thai Buddhist)
  • International Men’s Day – November 19
  • World Children’s Day – November 20
  • Thanksgiving (U.S.) – Fourth Thursday in November
  • Black Friday / Small Business Saturday / Cyber Monday – Late November
  • Saint Andrew’s Day – November 30 (Scotland)
  • Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Philippines)

Monthly Observances

• Native American Heritage Month (U.S.)
• National Adoption Month
• Diabetes Awareness Month
• Movember (Men’s Health)

DECEMBER HOLIDAYS

Religious & Spiritual

• World AIDS Day – December 1 (Global health observance)
  • Gita Jayanti – Revelation of the Bhagavad Gita (Dec 1 or 2, varies) (Hindu)
  • Saint Nicholas Day – December 6 (Christian)
  • Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day – December 7 (U.S.)
  • Bodhi Day / Rōhatsu – December 8 (Buddhist – Buddha’s Enlightenment)
  • Immaculate Conception – December 8 (Catholic)
  • Unduvap Poya / Sanghamitta Day – Full moon of December (Sri Lanka – Theravada Buddhist)
  • Hanukkah – Varies; usually December (Jewish festival of lights)
  • Pancha Ganapati – December 21–25 (Hindu festival to Ganesha)
  • Winter Solstice / Yule – December 21 or 22 (Pagan, Wiccan, Astronomical)
  • Christmas Eve / Christmas Day – December 24–25 (Christian)
  • Boxing Day / St. Stephen’s Day – December 26 (Commonwealth)
  • Kwanzaa – December 26–January 1 (African-American cultural festival)
  • Holy Innocents Day – December 28 (Christian)
  • New Year’s Eve – December 31

National / Cultural

• Day of Reconciliation (South Africa) – December 16
  • Las Posadas – December 16–24 (Mexico & Latin America – Christian)
  • Festivus – December 23 (Pop-culture holiday)
  • Ōmisoka – December 31 (Japanese New Year’s Eve – Shinto / Buddhist)

Monthly Observances

• Universal Human Rights Month
• National Giving Month
• Learn a Foreign Language Month

Summary by Faith Tradition

• Christian – All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, Immaculate Conception, Advent Season, Christmas Eve/Day, St. Stephen’s Day
• Jewish – Hanukkah
• Hindu – Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja, Kartika Purnima, Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, Bhairava Ashtami, Karthika Deepam, Gita Jayanti, Pancha Ganapati
• Buddhist – Eitaikyo, Loy Krathong, Bodhi Day, Unduvap Poya
• Muslim – (Islamic lunar months may overlap with Nov–Dec—e.g., Mawlid al-Nabi or Rabiʿ al-Thani observances)
• Secular / Cultural – Thanksgiving, Veterans Day, Black Friday, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve