LET THE CHRISTMAS PARTIES BEGIN

December is in full swing with the last minute preparations for the festivities. Work dinner/dance tonight and a work pot luck next week are some of the fun things for me and my group of acquaintances. It is fun to belong to social situations. The year I was laid off, it was difficult not to be part of such events. So look around you, are there people that could be added to your functions. Someone who could benefit from a social gathering. If you have a Christmas open house, could you add one more person? Even though many people complain there is too much to do and too many events, there is an undercurrent of real enjoyment and belonging when invited. If taken away, there is an emptiness. Adding people to events, does fill up the room and give some real social time to those people. Quieter family Christmas Eve and Christmas dinners may be your choice too. After the buzz of the season it is comforting to look forward to some quality family time with smaller gatherings. There are so many plays and concerts too that can bring a lonely person to a social gathering. Buy a ticket for one and go join in the fun. Of course, the church doors are open everywhere. We all know that the great bakers will bring their goods to Church socials, dinners and pot lucks. Parties and fun, joining others in celebration are some of the Christian values of reaching out to others! Worship with others could not be more Christian and the real meaning of the season!

THE ITALIAN SEAFOOD DINNER

Christmas Eve to Italians means a large seafood dinner. Previously Adolph and I would have the family for Christmas Eve- Italian tradition as well as Christmas Day-Canadian tradition. This year it was just the two of us so we went upscale with not only the usual dishes Adolph likes to make such as bacala soup, scallops, shrimps, calamari rings but Canadian lobster tails. We said a toast to Mama- who passed away 12 years ago. She taught Adolph how to cook his delicious dishes so the Di Mambro traditions carry on. Do you do something special on Christmas Eve?

THE WINTER SOLSTICE

The darkest day of the year or the longest night the winter solstice always coincides with Christmas. Often we are told it connects us with pagan times. Old with modern- good to know we connect with those from other times. As we face the sun furthest away from us, we look to tomorrow as the sun starts to return. For me this is a very bittersweet time. It has been 9 years since a very dear friend died on this day-Larry. Although time does heal our wounds, it is always a reminder of him. Attended his funeral that year on Christmas Eve. A dear friend, father, husband, brother, colleague- well one of a kind. We always make new friends along the way but we never really replace the ones we have lost. Have you lost any friends? Do you still miss those friends? What do you do to keep their memory alive? Ironic it is a dark day!