Alan Thicke

Until 1985, Alan Thicke was best known for his failure as a talk show host (The Thicke Of The Night), and for co-writing TV theme songs such as "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Facts Of Life".

That all changed when he took the role of Jason Seaver in a new situation comedy called "Growing Pains." With his passing on December 13th, we've lost another of our favorite TV parents. He credited his success to drawing on his own parenting experiences. In the '80's he was part of a fraternity of TV fathers, including Michael Gross of "Family Ties" and Bill Cosby of "The Cosby Show," who helped establish an ideal for supportive parenthood, one half-hour comedy at a time. During the show's run from 1985-1992, he said "The show comes from a reality base. When I'm out, one of the main comments I hear is 'My kid is just like that,' or 'My wife and I just went through that.' And I find myself coming home at night and saying, 'I just did this scene.'" 

His passing at age 69 comes as a shock to his family and millions of adoring fans. 

The Reason For The Season

Well, it's that time again. No, I'm not talking about hustle & bustle & finding the right gifts, decorating the tree, or all the weight I'll gain before the end of the year... though the spirit of all these activities is what I'll be writing about.

Each day it seems, another post starts circulating on Facebook, about people taking offense to "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Some have even been so bold as to say, if you don't like it, go back to the country you came from. That's when I take pen in hand, or more appropriately, my fingers fly across the keyboard. While I am a Christian, and am not ashamed of saying so, I am ashamed that so many who call themselves Christians could post such atrocities! Even though I myself posted the following: "Sometimes, it is admirable to try and correct the ignorance of the uneducated. But sometimes it is even more admirable to just walk away..." (on the 'are Mormons Christians' debate), this is one argument I will not walk away from.

America was built on the principles of freedom of religion - and unless you are a Native American, we are all immigrants. Suggesting that someone leave the country because they don't believe the same as you, is NOT a Christian way of thinking. And then to imply I'm not a Christian if I don't repost? I agree with not being "politically correct" and saying Happy Holidays, but I also won't be offended if someone says it to me.

Likewise, none of my friends - Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Athiest, Lesbian, Gay, Black, Hispanic, or any other should be offended if I wish them a Merry Christmas. I believe in Christ, and without Christ there would be no Christmas, but my saying Merry Christmas isn't forcing my beliefs on them - it is simply my wishing them the same joy & happiness I feel at this time of year!