This weekend we drove to Ottawa to make dinner for family and friends, pick up Christmas presents for other people and visit a dear friend in the hospital. Although it was incredibly tempting to stay home, read, relax and watch my Christmas tree twinkling, we went on our way and have just returned and I’m glad we did.
I recognize how fortunate I am to have a loving husband and my health to be able to help others. One day it will be my turn no doubt. This evening’s work is making five dozen gingerbread men. I have a potluck lunch tomorrow and although on the one hand I would have been perfectly happy to pick up a pie but I would have felt guilty so I will decorate my gingerbread men and bring them to the lunch.
For those who have family and friends (nice ones) the holidays are great times. For those who are alone or have lost a loved one regardless of the circumstances, it can be a dreaded time. I wrote about this last year at this time in the blog “It’s Just a Day“.
This year has been a challenging one for many many people because of the recession among all the other nasty things that happen to us normally. I would like to ask my readers to think about people in their entourage and take the opportunity to reach out and make a difference. This could be volunteering at a food bank, donating to a charity, inviting someone you know is alone to your Christmas dinner.
It’s interesting, I’ve observed those who seemingly have the least to give, give the most. Time is also a great gift, one that is in short supply these days. During the holidays take the time to connect with your children, play with them, and find out what they are really thinking. You might be surprised. That older relative in the corner is just as young in their heart as you; ask them to tell you a story. Let them live it again.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers, quite the opposite but I do have ideas and so do you. Please take the time to share your ideas to give at the holidays with me. This can be your gift to me.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi. This is a very nice post. As the song goes, “Give love on Christmas day…” We usually have friends around when it’s Christmas especially those who don’t have their families with them. Last year, we helped in collecting toys for unfortunate kids. This year, we gave some second hand clothes to typhoon victims. There’s still so much that we can do, right? And hopefully not just this season.
I couldn’t have said it more eloquently than you did. Christmas is truly a time to share and to give. The ability to share and to give yield greater pleasure than to receive. Last year, I was able to pool a small sum of money to buy some stationaries and presents for the poor children in her community but sad to say we weren’t able to do much of that this year. This is just an excuse, as I understand there are many ways we can provide and serve others even when we do not have money. Will have to do more next year.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas with Love, Joy and Peace.
Thank you BK. I already got my Christmas present. My son is in Thailand and I hadn’t heard from him in 27 days and I received an email that he is okay and doing well. All the rest is bonus.
I wish you also the best for a wonderful holiday and keep thinking about what we can do to bring joy to others.
Chin Chin, I appreciate that you are a regular reader of my blog and you always have thoughtful input. You’re so right the need for assistance is all year round. I had a hard time deciding which charities to support this year and finally decided on the Salvation Army and the Old Brewery Mission. Thank you for making a difference in this world.
Christmas is a bittersweet period of the year for me usually; it means being close to the ones I love, but it also means being terribly homesick (of Hungary) and of my family there. This has changed considerably this year with the birth of our beautiful boy, and now I feel like I’m no longer the the distant relative. I feel like my roots have finally taken in this place, after 25 years of immigrant life., and I have a family of my own to grow. Somehow it all makes sense now.
Happy Holidays
Jason, your post gave me goose bumps. Having been born here, this is a foreign concept for me. My Mother had a difficult time adjusting to life outside of Scotland. Canada was never her home. I’m so glad you are finally home.