Christmas is a week away and many families are excited to gather in greater numbers for the holidays. A year ago at this time we couldn’t travel, people were isolated, nobody had been vaccinated, and very strict rules were in place. This Christmas certainly looks alot brighter now that many of those restrictions have been lifted. That being said, there are still those who have been displaced by fires, floods, and road closures. There are families grieving so many losses this year of loved ones , jobs, and even houses that were burnt to the ground or washed away in a flood.
While we are putting up our Christmas tree, I can’t help but think of the people in Merritt, Princeton, and Abbotsford who are currently trying to salvage photo albums, and priceless keepsakes that cannot be replaced. I also think of the hard working farmers who have lost livestock and are now faced with starting over. While we sit back and open gifts piled up under the tree, others are pulling apart moldy walls, and sorting through piles of destroyed household goods piled up outside of their house.
I am not trying to be the grinch that is stealing your festive mood, but I do think it’s important to offer some perspective during this time. Yes we should absolutely celebrate and be joyful with our loved ones as we have seen how fragile and precious life is so we need to make the most of every moment. Let’s also try to understand that some people always have a difficult time during Christmas, due to having lost a loved one, or even just the overwhelming pressure to be happy which can greatly affect mental health. Much like some people put more emphasis on the wedding rather than the marriage, the same can be true for those folks who go way overboard in holiday preparations and get so caught up in the busyness of the season rather than the true meaning.
When you rush out on Christmas Eve for that last minute gift, maybe place a donation in the kettle bell, or sponsor a family, or make a donation to the Red Cross for the flood victims as the Govt is doubling the amounts given.
While we hear the term that it’s better to give than receive, I think this year both are vital. Giving and receiving love, kindness, and generosity will truly make a world of difference this year more than most. Let’s share hope with those that cannot find any at the moment.
Don’t worry if Christmas isn’t perfect this year. Maybe you didn’t find a partner, or someone in your family isn’t going to make it home due to road closures, or you couldn’t get that one gift delivered on time. If you start feeling down about that, think about the Merritt woman who lost her husband in the summer, lost her whole house in the flood, and then lost her little 6 yr old daughter in a car accident. While we can’t heal her grief, let’s honor her by trying to tackle this to-do list for the holidays. Blessings to you and Yours this season.
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