The holidays and celebrations are
wonderful opportunities to build family memories. And, the
good thing is, you can start with any Holiday, but since we are at
Christmas, let begin there !
It is time for the search for the
"just right" Christmas tree, homemade ornaments, pretty
lights, and the specially-selected gifts for loved ones. This is all
part of the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities. It is a time
to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. Evenings will be spent around
the Christmas tree, a fire in the fireplace, and the songs of
"Joy to the World" and "Deck the Halls" filling
the air. The children will anxiously await Santa Claus to arrive with
the gifts.
Then it will be Happy New Year, New
Year in and the old year out, and making of new year resolutions. For
some it will be a time to attend private parties, make the rounds of
the nightclubs or a town party to celebrate. But for others it is a
time to sit home and reflect on the past twelve months and to finalize
their list of goals for the new year. Many communities and individuals
celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
February is definitely the month for
sweethearts, expressing your love through flowers, gifts, candy, or
jewelry. If you are "unattached" maybe, it will be a time to
show love toward family and friends.
If you are a patriotic person,
February lent itself to honoring the presidents birthdays. Some
businesses celebrate Presidents Day with sales on merchandise.
Depending on where you live, maybe your town will have a special
commemorative event honoring the presidents and their heroic deeds.
Then it will be "the ides of
March upon you." March has been the month for Easter, but more
often it is April. March 17th is for the Irish. Take the
day off and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Drinking establishments’
color the drinks green and the party will continue into the wee hours.
In 1998 the calendar noted March 30 was Doctor’s Day.
April is a very busy month. It
starts with April Fool’s Day and all the practical jokes that
follow. Then Good Friday, Passover, Easter, and onto National
Secretaries Week/Day.
The month of May is Older
Americans’ Month. Other notable days will be Mother’s Day, Armed
Forces Day, and Memorial Day. Again in 1998 there was Teacher
Appreciation Week and National Hospital Week.
If we honor Mother in May, then
mustn’t forget Father in June. June also observes Flag Day.
Now we blast into July and
Independence Day. The 4th of July celebrations include a
parade, special events, carnivals and lots of food and favorite
beverages.
Even though my family finds August a
very special month, there are no Holidays. August, however, means
celebrating my Mother’s birthday.
School days, golden rule day with
reading, writing, and arithmetic begins in early September. Just after
observing Labor Day, it is time to get the little darlings off to
school. Next is Grandparents Day. Fall begins and a change in weather.
As the winds blow, it might remind
us of Columbus Day and the big wind storm in 1962. Where were you?
Again we honor the people in our
lives with Boss’s Day, then the Sweetest Day, and finish the month
with ghosts and goblins on Halloween. Holidays are just around the
corner.
Family gatherings, giving thanks for
the blessings, and a feast ‘fit for king’ are all part of
Thanksgiving. The turkey gobbler, bread dressing, candied yams,
homemade biscuits, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and much more to
share with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day.
CELEBRATIONS
What about the celebrations, the
events that are not part of the calendar, the fairs, carnivals,
reunions, etc.?
During my childhood there was a
state fair with the carnival, exhibits, good music, and of course lots
of food. Summers usually mean rodeos to enjoy, picnics, and sports.
Other times to join in the
celebration mode is races, concerts, dances, and miscellaneous sales.
From the national to the state and
local holidays, the family gatherings, and events throughout the year,
we have the memories of those times in our lives.