I like the holidays as much as anyone else, but the whole "gift-giving" aspect of it frustrates me. Every single year, we as a society are bombarded by ads and commercials about how we must buy things in order to make people happy, and it makes me sad. Sure, I like to shop and get something for my special friends, but I can't help but wonder, "Isn't real holiday happiness supposed to be from being together? Aren't we supposed to find joy in the people we love? Shouldn't we be celebrating our time together as people who love each other?"

I believe that the best gifts can't be bought in stores.

And it frustrates me even more nowadays. In America, the economy sucks, and we're STILL at war. Now, don't get me wrong here: I love my country, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for our troops. I support them no matter what they're doing, even if I don't agree with it. And now, in a time when we may not be able to get everything we want from a store, I believe the best thing would be to have our troops come home safely.

Don't you just wish the world could take off from violence, war, and hate...just for one day? So we could all be happy together?

I made the soldier look gender-neutral because both men and women have gone to way. But they're not just men and women. They're fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, sons, daughters, cousins, and friends. And they all deserve to come home safely.

If any of you have friends or family currently fighting for us, I pray that they may come home soon, safe and happy.

Happy Holidays from Gothic Dancer.