Celebrate everything!

Sherri T.

These were the words of Alice, the mother of my friend Maureen. Alice not only spoke these wise words. She lived them as well.

 Every holiday came with its own unique decorations, costumes, food and drink. And drink.

 To this day, Maureen receives St. Patrick’s Day cards from her mother.

 For many, this occasion is special because it provides an opportunity to down a pint (usually more) of beer. But for Alice, it represents something more.

 Time to say hello.

 Time to say I am thinking about you.

 Time to send love.

 Unfortunately for some, holiday events mean only one thing: exhaustion. The planning, cleaning, shopping and cooking are enough to make you want to hide from all the ‘fun’ for which you are endlessly preparing.

 For others, celebration is a synonym for stress. The two concepts are interchangeable. They are an equation in which the first word equals the second.

 Every holiday brings new ‘opportunities’ – for tensions, arguments and many reasons not to see these people ever again. Until next time. 

 For all its joy to the world, Christmas is known to be particularly challenging. Out-of-town guests, money woes, shopping and overeating are all part of the mix.

 A new breed of advisers has even emerged to help us dial down the holiday knob. Start earlier, breathe deeply, save money by gifting time.

 But while celebrations can be hard, life without celebrations is even harder.

 They are a way of saying you belong. Whether honoring a neighborhood, mutual pursuit or religious belief, special occasions remind us who we are.

 And where we are. With others who share a common interest and common bond.

 Special occasions are also a way of saying: stop the treadmill. Or at least step off for a few moments. Take the time to take it in.

 Finally, celebrations are both bookmark and landmark. Bookmarks make us pause. Landmarks make us think.

 Time to pause and think about the important things in life. And at the end of the day, what and who really matter.

 Alice was wise to talk about the significance of celebration. Her actions speak louder than her words. Time to celebrate Alice!