Being mindful during “the most wonderful time of the year.”
Last year, on social media, many “influencers” posted soft reminders that while the holidays are typically a joyful time of year, some people may not be up to embracing it to the fullest, and it’s important to be mindful at this time of the year. Once again, my “For You Page” is flooded with those messages this year.
While December has become so commercialized with glitz and glamour, with lights and magic, this time of year might not be so magical for everyone. You don’t know what’s going on in the lives of others, and while it’s great to be excited about the season and spread holiday cheer, it’s also important to understand that you can’t force people to be as joyful about this season as you might be. There are boundaries to be respected.
I usually really love the holiday season — it’s the time to curl up, watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, and decorate the Christmas tree that my parents and I got last minute at the Home Depot on Terminal Ave. (we recently discovered that it’s like $25 for a tree when you go right before Christmas). It’s the time of year when my immediate family comes together to cackle as Marv and Harry get absolutely annihilated by Kevin McCallister.
I think the best Christmas I ever had was when there was a blizzard in Vancouver, and my whole family had to sleep over at my parents’ place because the highways to get back to various areas of Greater Vancouver were all shut down. Now, that was magical.
I’ll always cherish that Christmas.
Last year, the holidays were definitely tough for my parents and me, especially my dad, given that it was the first Christmas season without his father. However, our immediate family still got together; and as usual, my aunt cooked the turkey (one of the big cons of moving from Vancouver for university is that I only get that turkey once a year now…), my mom made the vegetables, and my eldest cousin made his famous Greek salad.
With the very recent and very unexpected passing of my eldest cousin, the holidays this year are going to be even harder than last year. This season was his favourite time of year, and I have never spent a Christmas without him and his brother. The three of us would be excited to watch Home Alone with our Nani, and imitate Joe Pesci as he embodied the disgruntled Harry.
Although I and the rest of my immediate family are in no mood to celebrate the holidays this year, we need to do so as best as we can.
We want to honour the memory and joy of our own North Star.
So with that, this is a gentle reminder to yes, by all means, spread holiday cheer, but also to understand that not everyone feels like celebrating — and this needs to be respected. Maybe they’re going through something personal, or maybe they, like I, have recently lost the person who was their North Star during this time of the year.
Either way, make sure you check in on your loved ones this holiday season. You never know what they’re going through.
I’m sending so much love and care to anyone spending silent nights quietly grieving this season.
You are so very loved.
