CHRISTMAS HELPS US MISS AND REMEMBER THOSE WE LOVE

The first Christmas without a loved one is different. This is the first Christmas both my son-in-law and I do not have our Moms. Even though I did not spend Chrismas with my Mom the last few years as she would not travel much after the age of 80, there is still the reminder she is not here. The special gift or flower arrangement or card are not on my list anymore. Even when marriages happen and children must go to more than one function, sorting out whose house and what day, what time they will spend with which family can be complicated or not. Family moves away and the distance is felt at Christmas. All the texting, emails and phone calls does not make up for the person not being in the room or at the dinner table. Having some reminders of the person can help. My Mom was a "depression" Mom. She lived through the Great Depression and did not receive much at Christmas time so she tried to make Christmas special for us. Our stocking always had a large delicious apple in it along with other treats. So each Christmas I must have some delicious apples in a basket on the table. Red carnations remind my husband of his Mom. So traditions can include little things that have meaning to the people present without being morbid! All the letters, cards and emails received can be displayed in a prominent place. Remembering people we love is a good way to honour family and life! Do you do something meaningful for the lost ones in your life? Do you have little traditions unique to you?

HISTORICAL EVENTS IMPACT OUR LIVES

And often make us reflect about where we were, what we were doing and who was with us. I thought of this reflection after watching a segment of Canada AM about the 25th anniversary of the Space Shuttle explosion. My life has been influenced by the Kennedy assassination, the Viet Nam war and all the protests, Trudeau era, Diana/Charles wedding and her eventual death, major world disasters and of course, September 11th to name a few. Sometimes events coincide with situations in our own lives so the identification and emotions are closer. Our folks who lived through the Great Depression and World War Two brought their memories and experiences into our lives. Our children will have their own set of events that have an influence on them. Not everyone will have the same experience and observations from an event. Are there events that impacted your life and still bring emotions? Do you review history and see connections to today? Do we learn from those events? I find being connected to a big event somehow makes my small existence seem more important. Do you ever feel the same way?