December ushers in the holidays and the new year. Now that I am older, I find that December gets here sooner every year and flits by even faster. The worry about having enough money to buy everyone a gift begins to set in the first week of December. I go through the motions of putting the tree up and pulling out my alert nutcracker as well as my homemade Santa on his sleigh. Then it begins—the Christmas movies that make me cry because of the Christmas miracle that takes place. These movies make me happy and sad.

Happy because many of them try to spread the message of love, family, and unconditional kindness, even to a total stranger, but in some ways they make me doubt society’s perception of Christmas/Yule. I try to lighten my mood with Christmas music, movies, and memories but the season is not the same anymore. I feel like Cindy Lou Who trying to find the meaning of Christmas. Too many family members have left us and they leave a big hole at the family Christmas get-together. I always become extremely nostalgic when it comes to the holiday season. I binge on Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer or Peppermint Mocha as I watch all the old Rankin Bass Christmas movies trying to recapture some of the magic I once felt towards this season of lights.

“These were magical times that seemed to slide through the hourglass at a slower pace than they do now.  Nothing could beat the feeling of warmth and love that wrapped around my Great Grandparent’s home as we all gathered there Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.”

I remember my childhood memories of December and the holidays. The adults spoke in low tones over my younger sister’s and my head or we were shooed out of the kitchen and out to the yard to play. There was this air of excitement and secrecy which only grew as school closed for Christmas. I grew up in South Georgia where it hardly ever snows, and if it does, it’s about every ten years with only a light dusting that looks like sprinkled powdered sugar. Yet, every year my sister and I just knew that it was going to snow next year which never really happened. We found other diversions such as riding our bikes with wind-whipped faces with our neighborhood friends and the little cloud puffs of our exhaled breaths quickly disappeared.

Oh— the Christmas lights displays throughout our small town were so breathtakingly beautiful that I could see the beautiful scenes after I was tucked snuggly in my soft bed warmed by thick homemade quilted blankets. Our Mother would ready us for a night of riding through all the neighborhoods lit up with Christmas Trees, big jolly Santas, and reindeer ready to take flight. These were magical times that seemed to slide through the hourglass at a slower pace than they do now.  Nothing could beat the feeling of warmth and love that wrapped around my Great Grandparent’s home as we all gathered there Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Things seemed much simpler then although I am sure my parents would agree with the last minute shopping for batteries and stocking-stuffers.

I think there are many people out there who have started to feel burdened and lonely when the holidays roll around. No one wants to walk into a family function with no gifts or be by themselves. This time of year is tough for many because they can’t see Christmas through the eyes of their former child selves. These people need the gift of love and kindness to remind them that the spirit of Santa is quite alive.

So as you rush about checking off your own list of naughty and nice, think about those who are always alone or buy a toy for a child who will wake to nothing under their tree. You don’t have to go all extravagant with gifts. Sometimes homemade gifts are appreciated more because you put a little of yourself into making the gift. Or offer your time to someone who doesn’t have anyone else—volunteer at a nursing home to help bring cheer. Also, watch out for signs of depression in those around you. This is a tough time of year for many people. Let them know you care.

If any of my readers are feeling the blues this season, please know you are not alone. Just hold on a bit longer and December will be gone before you know it and a new year upon us!

Happy Holidays!