Thoughts on December

December, the month of joy and sorrow, the month of cheer and pain.

I look around these last couple of days and think to myself about the different ways people view the upcoming holidays. As the lights and decorations begin to illuminate the houses, they bring a warm feeling, a sparkle if you will, to my heart. I have been fortunate to spend the Christmas holidays with my family.

We have been known to have 2 or even 3 Christmas get togethers so that everyone can be together. Growing up, Christmas day was busy. We rotated who would host Christmas between my 2 Aunts houses (Mom's side), my Grandparents (Mom's side), and our house. It was a tradition that we opened gifts Christmas morning, ate lunch, then Mom, Dad and I piled in the car and went to visit Dad's side of the family for the afternoon. It didn't matter what the weather or how we felt, off we would go. We would have dinner there and exchange a few gifts. The only year I can not recall going to both Granparents houses on Christmas day was the year we went to Florida for Christmas.

As I grew older, things changed. Grandparents passed away. Family schedules split up the traditional gatherings. The kids grew to adults and moved away. Time became the director of our lives instead of tradition. Happy times became necessity in order to get to see loved ones over the holidays. Sad thoughts of missed loved ones gone from our lives sometimes filled the holes left by traditional events lost to time.

I look back and understand now that I had it pretty decent growing up. I think of friends whose family's divorced, people I know who lost loved ones around the Holidays. I understand their sadness brought to the front by the twinkling of the lights and the sounds of good cheer. You see, my family too is not imune to lose loved ones over the Holidays. People/relatives of mine always seem to die at one of two times; when we are away on a family vacation or around deer hunting season. My Uncle Gene actually died over his deer in the woods during hunting season.

Do I dread the Holidays because of my losses? No. Time has healed some of those wounds. I turn to fond memories to help ease the hurts that still exist. I wish I could share that ability with others. I see so many people who have it so rough emotionally at this time of year and wonder what hurts could run that deep to turn them so bitter.

So remember, when you feel down during the holidays, when you feel like the world is caving in on you, remember the good times, the good people that touched your life. Let the light of the happy times burn away the darkness and sadness of their loss, for as long as you remember the good times you shared, lost loved ones are never far away!

-Happy Holidays!!!