Alone for the Holidays
Dear Friends,
As more than half of our residents prepare to visit their families for the winter holidays, I’ve been reflecting on my own holiday traditions, or lack thereof. For financial reasons, it has never seemed worth it for me or my parents to spend the money to fly across the country for winter holidays, so I’ve been “on my own” for Christmas for the past 20 years.
The funny thing about that is it actually makes my holiday season so much less stressful! I miss my mother, but we talk on the phone all the time, and we see each other when it’s not peak travel times. And as someone who does not necessarily believe in the Christian God and can’t understand enough Mandarin Chinese to go to my mother’s church anyway, I can’t tell you what a relief it is to not have to sit through Christmas services.
What I have adopted as my “Christmas traditions,” however, are things that bring me peace and joy:
- I spent several years volunteering for a local holiday show. That of course has not happened for the past two years because of COVID, but they are still fond memories!
- On Christmas Day (weather permitting), I go to the beach and just watch the waves and reflect on the past year, and let the sounds of the sea wash away the things that I want to let go.
- I putter around an empty House and breathe in the peace and quiet, while also appreciating the life and energy and joy that each and every one of my housemates brings in their time here.
It’s a busy, overwhelming world out there sometimes, and I cherish the time during the holiday season to just Be, and just Breathe. I hope you all get a chance to do the same.
In addition to this message, we’re writing with updates and events for you! Whether you’re near or far, we hope to see you soon.
In light and love,
Vickie
