A Quilt of Holidays - Stories, Poetry, Memoir - Tapa blanda

If there is one universal impulse that drives the human spirit, it is celebration. It cuts across all ages, cultures, and nationalities. It reflects in great part who we are. Our calendars are crowded with dates set aside to revel, commemorate - even atone. We yearn to express who we are collectively, to pause from the drone of our daily lives to share special times with friends and loved ones, days we commonly refer to as "holidays." The word "holiday" derives from Holy Day, referring to any day set aside for religious observance. Although many holidays have remained linked to world faiths and religion, we have added a number of secular holidays to our calendars over the centuries. Most nations, in fact, pause to pay tribute to traditions and significant events in their history. The holiday stories, poetry, and memoirs in this book speak to the human heart, make us laugh, and remind us of the importance of fellowship and sharing. From poems of New Year's revelry to tales of Christmas, readers will be treated to a veritable cornucopia of images gathered from the holiday spirits of the writers included in this collection. We hope you enjoy our "quilt of holidays."