Holiday Cheer from R&B: Belinda

Holiday traditions have always been very important and special to me. Spending time with my family, watching football games, cooking, baking, eating way too much, traveling across state to my parent’s cabin to enjoy the snow, sharing joy and appreciation to those I am with, but most of all celebrating the birth of Christ at the Christmas Eve candle service.

However, the holidays tend to make me sad as well; missing loved ones who have passed and sharing my children with their in-laws. My boys have grown and have families of their own; I never anticipated my reaction the first time one of my sons shared that he was going to his wife’s families for Thanksgiving Day; I cried and my heart was broken. Never had I imagined not being with my children on Thanksgiving or Christmas day.

In accepting changes in traditions I have realized how grateful I am for having my children near and celebrating the holidays with them, their wives, and my grandchildren even if it is not on the exact day of the holiday. I also realized that there are those who are without family and that I can share the day with them as well. So in accepting and creating new traditions I have learned that the holidays are full of wonderful memories to reflect on, that my mother is just a phone call away, that I have a loving husband that cooks an amazing meal, and that I am grateful for the time to share with others. I continue to give thanks to what God has put before me and look forward to making new traditions.

Wishing happiness, joy, and love for all of you during the holidays with a suggestion to think of other’s who may be alone and not to hesitate to invite a friend or neighbor over to celebrate a holiday meal or tradition with you.