Holiday Reflections

When the holidays come around, we have mixed emotions and feelings as we grow older. They say that the holidays just aren't the same as when you were young, which is true. Let's face it, people pass away, people that held the family together, people we've been with our whole life. I've lost 90% of my family, and now only have two people left. It's difficult sometimes to find a way through and still find the holiday spirit. After losing my uncle and one dog this year, I've really been struggling to find the joy in the season. It's there, but it's hard to let it show. Maybe we put up a facade so other people don't see it, or we hold the pain inside. My wife and I sat down and started watching the usual Christmas movies and I'll honestly say that watching movies and listening to Christmas music has helped. We need to realize just how important family is. We need to stop the fighting and arguing, because before long they won't be around and you'll wish you had done better to hold on, cherish and love them. Set aside the ill feelings, reach out to your family and talk to them. Everything can me worked out, but sometimes you're the one that needs to make the first move. Don't wait until time has passed, passed so much that they're no longer there. You don't want to live with that pain.

I remember something my mother told me before she passed. She said, "You need to make your own holiday traditions now. It's going to be you and your wife and you guys love the holidays so much, you need to keep it going. Don't be sad." My family have always been big on the holidays and you need to carry on the traditions, even if it's with less people. The holidays come once a year. You can do it!