Happy, Merry Holiday Season
Happy, Merry Holiday Season to all! This time of year is always interesting for me. Being Jewish, it’s like being on the outside of a Christmas snow globe. All around me, people are wrapped up in the celebration of Christmas magic. I’m peering in the window, like a kid looking in a toy shop, both my hands against the glass creating parentheses around my face.
Yes, I know, for many, this time of year is very challenging. Looking in as an outsider creates an illusion. I’m looking in, sharing, but not a part of. As a child, when the “whole” world celebrates around you, there is a feeling of missing out. As an adult, I enjoy sharing in the celebration of others.
One of my favorite Christmas memories was going to senior living homes singing Christmas carols. We were a group of people with varying religious beliefs, coming together to share the Christmas Spirit with those who were otherwise alone. What we personally believed didn’t matter. We were sharing smiles, love, and harmony. Tears of joy were shed on both sides for the pure beauty.
Tonight, Chris and I will go to the home of dear friends who have taken us in as family. We so enjoy being a part of their holiday celebration. We are very blessed to be embraced within their family fold!
Heartfelt love and gratitude for all!
I love this Nancy -how you embrace others’ traditions and celebrate with them. The different ways that people celebrate all around the world are so steeped in custom and history. I love learning about others’ traditions. Our journey through life is marked by these periodic celebrations with others! Love you Strong! and Happy Merry Holiday Season to you too!
…and I love the photo!
What an uplifting little story. It proves we can all come together and celebrate whatever we believe in peace, harmony and love. Faith, love and hope in a world that needs all three right now. Thanks for sharing. Your picture describes your story so well, too.
A picture paints a thousand words…and this one does. I love it! I also love your description. Reminds me of my favorite episode of the 90’s tv show “Northern Exposure” which I watch every holiday season. Each person in the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska celebrates the holidays in their own way, and it weaves together into this lovely human holiday tapestry. The main character, who is Jewish, is debating whether he should put up a tree along with his Menorah. He describes the outside looking in feeling that you describe. He ends up knowing that he is decidedly Jewish and gifts the decorated tree to a friend who is alone for Christmas.