Here we are in December of 2020, just a few weeks from Christmas and News Years. It’s been a rough road getting here and there will be rough roads ahead for many.

This holiday season really has me thinking about holidays of past. When I was a kid my family didn’t have a lot of money. I remember making presents with my grandmother every year. We also made ornaments to hang on her tree. I think she might have had two store bought ornaments, the rest were all cobbled together out of pipe cleaners, construction paper, glue, glitter, and whatever crafting supplies were on hand. Every year we would get them out and she would lovingly go through them, careful of the older, more delicate of the bunch. Those always went toward the top to avoid being damaged by grandkids.

In my family the holidays weren’t about the presents. It was about family. It was also about the food. The holidays were the only time we ever had an abundance of food. Not to say we were starving the rest of the year, we just didn’t have big elaborate dinners with tons of leftovers. As a kid it was quite a sight to see all that food laid out at one time. There were always things we only ever had at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years. Honestly, New Years was most leftovers from Christmas with the addition of fondue.

I think 2020 has taught us a lot of things (not all of them good). But I think the one thing it’s really taught me is how important it is to surround yourself with people who love and appreciate you and whom you love and appreciate in return. It’s also shown me more than ever how much people and not things are what is really matters.

I know a lot of people are suffering from pandemic fatigue and miss spending time with family and friends and eating all of those special foods, but by staying home this year you’ll be giving yourself and your loved ones the chance for other holidays together in the future.

For those who are struggling financially, remember, the holidays aren’t about how many presents you get or how expensive those presents are. They are about sharing memories and love with those around us and appreciating what we have and being grateful for the little things.

Stay Safe this Holiday Season.

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Holiday.