A Month of Reflection, Celebration and Craziness

Regardless of whether you are a Christian religion adherent or not, you are bombarded with the preparations for the largest commercial holiday of the year. And other religions also celebrate special holidays during this time which involve family time, gift giving and celebration.

We barely make it past Halloween before the stores come alive with trees, lights, gift ideas, decorations and Christmas music. We decorate our homes and look forward to parties with friends, family time, and hopefully, some relaxation time.

However, that is not the reality for many. For some, it is the first celebration without a special loved one. For some, it is a time when we must face the reality that we are unable to provide the flashy gifts and toys that our kids see advertised on TV or on the internet.  And for a growing number in our community, trying to pay the rent (if indeed, we even have a stable home to live in) and put food on our family’s table is becoming an insurmountable reality.

My daughter-in-law is a front line health worker with some of London’s most disadvantaged. The trauma that many of her clients live with daily is heartbreaking. I have had firsthand experience in dealing with a new friend who has been homeless for some time and struggles with the reality that if you don’t have a permanent address, your social assistance and health care is difficult to access. In order to find housing, you must have money that is so difficult to access. These are people with families somewhere, real people with names and stories (some that will make you cry).

This Christmas, consider foregoing the value of one of the gifts you would normally purchase for a loved one and explain to them that instead, you have made a donation of time or money to help someone less advantaged. There are many options available where a small bit of money or time can make a huge difference. It will do your heart good!

Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy holiday season!

 

Janice Brock,
Owner, Custom Covers and Custom Shades