The Rockwood December 2016 Edition 12, Volume 2, Page 1

[Pages:4]The Rockwood

December 2016

Edition 12, Volume 2, Page 1

Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas: The Last Thing That Ever Needs To Be Said About It

By Paul Brandeis Raushenbush

Former Executive Editor of Global Spirituality and Religion, The Huffington Post

Every year at the beginning of December some Americans engage in a ridiculous rhetorical ritual that recycles righteous arguments about whether people should say to one another Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. This question is one skirmish in the broader cultural and political battle that come under the heavily ladened frame of the `war on Christmas.'

On one hand I feel that all of this is nonsense and not worth engaging at all. But, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, it is true that our country is undergoing some profound changes in demographics. We are more religiously and culturally diverse than ever before and this diversity will automatically evoke some strong reactions. Plus, we have a rising population that does not feel affiliated with any religious tradition and this too contributes to the new cultural landscape. So, it is not surprising that those used to Christianity being the dominant religion in America feel unease in this new reality.

So, consider this a primer to help all of us `just get along' during this `holiday season.'

Let's start with the fact that there are several holidays that fall during December including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice and the newly minted secular HumanLight. They all would like, and deserve to be acknowledged and respected.

So this brings us to the Merry Christmas vs Happy Holiday debate that is not complicated and is

solved with basic etiquette. If you know someone is a Christian who is celebrating Christmas you

should say to them....

Continued on the next page....

December Birthday Celebrations: Rachel & Gina! Celebrate with them 12/20/16!!

If you refer a friend to be a new Resident at The Rockwood, you will receive a $1000.00 rent credit!

330 W. Lockwood Ave. Webster Groves, MO 63119 314.963.0029



The Rockwood Senior Living

December 2016

Edition 12, Volume 2, Page 2

Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection. ~Winston Churchill Read more at: Continued from page 1...... `MhertrytCphsri:s/tm/aws.'wLikwew.biser,asaiyn`HyaqpupyoHtaen.uckkoamh' t/oqa upeorstoen yso/utknoopwiics sJe/wtisho,peticc. _chris tmas.html For example, during the month of Ramadan I say to my Muslim friends `Ramadan Mubarak' because it

shows them that I acknowledge their tradition and wish them well as they observe the holy time in their calendar. This courtesy and respect should be part of what it means to live in a pluralistic society and it is easy for all of us to offer to those to whom we are close.

However, if you don't know the spiritual tradition of a co-worker, friend, or stranger in the elevator but wish to offer them a `Season's greeting' -- a simple `Happy Holiday' is not at all an insult or a denigration of Christmas, or any other tradition. It is an appropriate and inclusive salutation that recognizes that there are many ways that people are observing the season and you don't know enough to be specific.

That is the very reason that many stores use Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas, because they want to be inclusive and welcome as many dollars, ahem, people, into their stores as possible. So, using Happy Holidays is not anti-Christmas, it is pro-business, and we don't want to be anti-business do we?

Next on the list is the Holiday Tree... ok, no more Holiday Tree. The governor of Rhode Island did the right thing recently. Just call it a Christmas Tree, because that is what it is. Again, this is just common sense, we don't call it a Holiday Menorah -- it is for Hanukkah, let's just call things what they are and then it isn't such a big deal.

The trickiest part of the whole `war on Christmas' is what to do about holiday celebrations in public schools, and on public property. Here again, inclusion is the way to go. We are a nation that has continued to welcome people of all religious backgrounds and no religious backgrounds. Simultaneous religious inclusion with separation of church is part of America's complex yet wonderful religious DNA.

So, let a thousand flowers bloom -- let's have Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs; Kwanzaa lessons, HumanLight celebrations, and Pagan solstice rituals -- let's do it all. It's so much more fun to cast a wide net where all can celebrate our traditions together rather than strip everything away to ....

Continued on last page....

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love"~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

330 W. Lockwood Ave. Webster Groves, MO 63119

314.963.0029



The Rockwood Senior Living

December 2016

Edition 12, Volume 2, Page 3

~~~Spotlight~~~

This month's Spotlight is not on a resident but an employee, Eric Kuenkler. I am the Community Relations Director of The Rockwood. I've loved writing all of the great stories of the Residents of The Rockwood. It's been a pleasure getting to know all of the Residents and their families before they move in and then write about them once they do. In turn, people want to know about me, so I figured this was the best way to tell a little about myself.

I was born and raised in the steel mill town Granite City, Illinois (just across the river). Born to a Vietnam Vet and a career insurance broker, I was an only child until the age of 11 when my brother Justin was born in to the family. My parents were your typical middle class working family. We had enough to get by, but never enough to enjoy extravagances or vacations. Family and home life was our focus. After high school graduation, I moved to Ferguson, Missouri and worked two jobs to afford to attend college on my own. I attended St. Louis Community College in Florissant and majored in Graphic Communications.

My focus at the time was working in retail because I enjoyed working with people. Even though my major dealt with graphics, I enjoyed customer service much more. I met my (now ex) wife in 96. She was a coworker of mine. We would soon marry and start raising a family. She became a house wife as I continued working in multiple sales areas. In 2000, a friend would ask me to help her remodel a bathroom in the apartment complex she managed. That led into assistance with many other remodels. Then I received an offer to become Maintenance Director and eventually Business Manager of the next two apartment complexes the owner would buy. I found an outlet for my artistic talents by remodeling apartments. After several years, I started my own home remodeling business. I worked along with other companies for side work to help hone my crafts.

After many years enjoying my own business and raising my now four boys; Blake, Austin, Cody & Dylan, the economy started to turn and I had to seek other employment to support my family. The stress of finances caused a dissolve of my marriage. The separation of homes was hard on the children. I accepted employment as a graphic production manager at a trade show company. This was the first job that related to my college major in 13 years. One fateful day the company closed its doors but fortune would again shine on me. A friend pointed me to a maintenance director position at a senior community in St Peters, which was a good thing since I was already living there. One thing I found out about myself, is that I loved working in and on apartments, and I had a new found love for working with not just people but seniors particularly. I had a wonderful couple of years there, when a position opened up here at The Rockwood. I fell in love with the community the minute I walked in. Shortly after I started working at The Rockwood, my children started coming of age to determine which of their parents they wanted to live with. One by one, each boy chose to move in with me. I chose to move back to Granite City, IL to be closer to family and friends. I wanted to be close to my ailing father, to help with whatever I could. I purchased a home big enough for everyone to live comfortably.

Life has had its ups and downs, but I couldn't be happier than living close to family, having all my boys living with me, having a job I love and working with Residents I care about greatly. And now, having a fianc?, April, who I'm ready to spend the rest of my life with. Life could always be better, but I'm fortunate for what I have every day.

And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. ~ Jesus Christ "Happy Birthday!"

330 W. Lockwood Ave. Webster Groves, MO 63119

314.963.0029



The Rockwood Senior Living , Volume 1, Page 4

Christmas 2016

Edition 12, Volume 2, Page 4

... Continued from page 2

... protect the delicate sensibilities of some very prickly few.

And now a special note to my fellow Christians who talk so much about the war on Christmas. I get it, for a long, long time Christianity was dominant in the United States and represented the civic religion of the country. But America is about the people who are here now, and that is a much more diverse group. And that's good! It is time to stop insisting that everything revolves around us. Instead, let's join the wider circle of the many traditions that make up our country. Besides, any Christian knows that Christmas is not about displays in shopping malls, or capitols, or schools, it is about a spiritual event that we honor most in our families and our homes.

So, Merry Christmas, Christians; Happy Hanukkah, Jews; Super Solstice, Pagans; Hurray, Human Light Humanists; Joyous Kwanzaa to African Diaspora and to everyone all together -- Happy Holidays. See you at the party!

There. The war on Christmas is officially over.

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." ~ Will Ferrell, "Elf"

330 W. Lockwood Ave. Webster Groves, MO 63119

314.963.0029



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