The dreaded holidays recede. Greed and gluttony, bogus religiosity, mandatory jollity, painful remembrance, all depart for another year. The merchandising serpents, having sold their apples, slither back to their offices to count the take. The usurers smile and unbutton their vests. The God of Mammon is sated for a while. The possibilities of real life return and that is truly something to celebrate. - mce