Bill O'Reilly helped me to be a better person

I am an agnostic who grew up saying Merry Christmas and never thought twice about it. It kind of rolls off the tong and evokes thoughts of Santa Clause, presents, egg nog and stockingS filled with fun, magical things. It never had a religious meaning to me. I NEVER said Happy Holiday's because it just didn't feel natural to me and was harder to say.

The other day I was at a Montessori school (which tends to attract all kinds of ethnic people with different religions). While I was there I saw an old friend of mine who is Hindu. We spoke for several minutes and then ended the conversation and I said "Hey, have a Merry Christmas". Of course Bill O'Reilly instantly popped into my mind and I suddenly realized I just said "Merry Christmas" to a guy who is not even Christian! He said "You as well" with very little enthusiasm and looked a little strange, almost like he was irritated. I walked away feeling like an idiot for telling a Hindu, Merry Christmas! WHAT WAS I THINKING!!! It really stuck in my mind and made me think that I need to be more careful in who I said "Merry Christmas" to.

So today I saw the same guy again and we spoke again for several minutes and when we parted I said "Hey, have a great holiday season" and he smiled back and said "Thank you,.... you as well". He had a smile on his face this time as if he seemed to not feel so much like an outsider in the way I greeted him.

So, I would like to thank Bill O'Reilly for helping me to be more aware of how I greet people during this Holiday Season! Thank you Mr. O'Reilly for helping me be a better person who cares about my fellow Americans and respects their feelings and belief system. Thank you for helping me to remember NOT to say Merry Christmas to a Hindu!