When I was a starving (and hence, much skinnier) reporter working horrible night shifts at the Washington Post, I don’t ever remember being forced to work on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. I often did because I needed the holiday pay, but I rarely, if ever, had to … even if I was on the schedule.

That’s because one of my Jewish colleagues would invariably ask me if I wanted to trade shifts. Even if he or she had a nice 10 to 7 p.m. gig and I had the 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. shift. Some of them weren’t particularly religious. But they were all nice. And considerate.

I think of that every Christmas, and it gives me extra appreciation for folks who are required to work holidays, either because of their jobs/dedication or because they are covering a gap for somebody for whatever reason.

So if you are on duty this holiday weekend, for whatever reason, thanks. Many of us do understand and appreciate it. And if you are off (finally) like me, enjoy yourself.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and here’s to a safe New Year.

To reach me: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com

NEARLY USELESS FACTOID
By Jolie Lee

If you stuffed yourself silly this holiday season, you may have your brain to blame. The Daily Mail reports some people crave sugary food even when they’re full due to a so-called hunger hormone called ghrelin. “The finding helps explain why Christmas lunch all too often turns into an orgy of overeating and why many of us still find room for an after-dinner chocolate when we are fit to burst,” the report said.

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