Allergic to Peanuts...

I grew up with peanut butter; so did my husband, Ken. To this day, given a preference, Ken would turn down just about anything to enjoy a peanut butter sandwich at lunch time. It is, in many ways, a comfort food for many.

The nut allergies are new. I don't know what alternative there is for a kid with allergies to a white bread sandwich, filled with ooooy goooey peanut butter, and a smear of grape jelly, but I hope they have one. A PB&J stands as a icon in its own right.

Back to the nut allergies. While I am sympathetic, it does make one wonder how those with the allergies (yes, I know it isn't the kids, but their over-zealous parents and attorneys) who have all but made it illegal to bring a PB&J sandwich onto a plane, or into a school? In the early years of flying, smokers were asked to sit at the back of the plane (which was ridiculous because smoke is pretty hard to contain). So, come on, at least section off a few rows of airplane seats or cafeteria tables, and give  peanut lovers a break (or better put - TOLERATE US.)  

This holiday there is a new allergic reaction to Peanuts, only it isn't the kind we eat, but rather the kind Charles Schultz made famous.  An elementary school in Little Rock had the audacity to decide to do "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown" this Christmas. Now, there is irony in this if one really wants to look at it...first of all, the play contains Peanuts, a Christmas message (is it or is it not the season?), and of all things, the title itself shouts from the rooftops "Merry Christmas".

Well, not surprisingly, a few parents were aghast, and although the school gave a generous 'opt out' to anyone who didn't want their kids to be involved, taking their offense to the ACLU.  (I'm allergic to the ACLU), who is taking this to the courts. So much for tolerance....

This is not my hill to die on, but I must say that if people who share my views don't begin to stand up and be counted, refuse to give up their PP&J sandwiches and peanuts on planes, and stand up to the bullies, there will be little left to celebrate. 

Several years ago one of our granddaughters was in a reading contest in her school; it was this time of year. She read her little heart out, won the contest, and the 'prize' was to read any book of her choice to the entire first grade class. She chose a book about Christmas- how fitting!. Her teacher informed her that she couldn't read a book about Christmas, and, instead, had her read a book about Kwanzaa  What a lesson in moving the target that was! Thankfully, it only made her stronger because her parents were wise enough to talk her through it and recreate the lesson positively. 

This exercise has made me hungry for a peanut butter sandwich, but I don't have any Wonder Bread to put it on... But, less I digress, join me in the fight to keep our Christian heritage and traditions alive. After all, we live here, too! Let's cheer on Charlie Brown!

Wishing everyone a very blessed holiday of choice, and to you Christians out there...Merry Christmas to all!