It’s that time of year once again.
The holiday season is upon us, and as you read this newspaper you will likely be home for some restful time with your family and friends. It’s a time to clear our hectic schedules, relax, and try to forget about the troubles we face in our lives.
And it’s a time for us to be thankful for everything (and everyone) we have around us.
Life can move at such a fast pace that even these few moments of reflection can seem to pass us by in a mere moment.
That’s why it’s so important to make the most of every such opportunity; every time a busy family comes together, setting aside all other priorities to celebrate the season together.
As always, we must be thankful that we live in a part of the world that affords us the luxury to stop and catch our breath, and to do it together.
We must fully appreciate the wealth we’re entrusted with, material and otherwise, for there are many who are not so fortunate, both near and far.
There are no shortage of reminders of how fragile and fleeting life can be. The unthinkable tragedy recently experienced at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut is a hauntingly powerful example. The senseless loss of so many young and innocent lives would be heartbreaking at any time of year, but the fact that it happened so close to Christmas somehow makes it even worse.
The children lost on that fateful day were like any others; they were getting more excited with each passing day as thoughts of snowball fights and holiday dinners and presents under the tree filled their minds.
They had written their lists to Santa Claus and were eagerly awaiting his arrival on Christmas morning.
And their families were busily making holiday plans, much like those we will enjoy. And yet, so quickly and so shockingly, those plans were changed forever.
Futures were lost, and families suffered wounds that will never fully heal.
For us, the holiday season trucks on as expected, but for people who are no different than us, the holidays will likely never be the same.
The unfortunate truth is that we live in a world where even the best of intentions and the most thorough of preparations cannot guarantee our happiness, or even our safety. We simply don’t know how much time we have left to spend with the people who matter most to us.
But we do have this time, so please make the most of it.
Happy Holidays and all the best for a safe and successful New Year.
