![]() Christmas is a season filled with light, warmth, and memories. For many of us, the joy of the holiday is tied to long-held traditions: the glow of a decorated tree, the scent of pine filling the house, the ornaments that tell stories of years gone by. As I unpacked our Christmas decorations year after year, I was flooded with memories. Each ornament had a place in time—one marking my children’s first Christmases, another made with tiny hands in school, and others gifted to Regina and I throughout our life together. This year, though, I found myself looking at the boxes and feeling… tired. Not the usual holiday rush kind of tired, but a deeper weariness that made me wonder if I could go through the motions this time. For the first time in decades, the Christmas tree might stay boxed up, along with the stockings, the garland, and the Dickens village that Regina loved so much. It’s not that the joy is gone—far from it. I still adore Christmas. I look forward to sitting by the tree at my daughter’s house, soaking in the ambiance, and watching my grandchildren’s excitement grow as the big day approaches. But there’s something about the weeks leading up to Christmas that feels different when the traditions aren’t alive in your own home. I know I’m not alone in this. As we grow older, the energy and time required to recreate the magic of Christmas at home can feel daunting. What once felt effortless—hauling out the tree, stringing the lights, carefully placing each decoration—can become a monumental task. And yet, there’s a sadness in letting go of these rituals, even if only for a season. For me, the Christmas tree isn’t just a decoration; it’s a symbol of continuity. Its lights fill the room with warmth and transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Sitting in the glow of a lit tree with a cup of tea or a good book has always been one of my favourite parts of the season. Without it, the house feels a little quieter, a little less festive. And then, there’s Regina. Every ornament I hang reminds me of her—the way she carefully unwrapped them each year, how her eyes lit up when she found the perfect spot for her favourite ones. The tree was always our centrepiece, a reflection of the life we built together. Letting go of that feels like letting go of a piece of her. But perhaps, as we grow older, the meaning of Christmas shifts. It becomes less about the decorations and more about the people we share it with. Sitting around my daughter’s tree, I see the traditions continuing in a new way—through her, through my grandchildren. The tree at her house might not have the same ornaments, but it carries the same spirit. For those of you feeling the same way this year—staring at the boxes of decorations and wondering if you can muster the energy—I want to say it’s okay. Traditions evolve. Perhaps this is the year to embrace simplicity, to focus on the parts of the holiday that bring you the most joy. For me, it’s family. It’s the glow of someone else’s tree. It’s the stories we tell, the memories we share, and the love that fills the room. The beauty of Christmas isn’t in the ornaments or the garland—it’s in the hearts of those we hold dear. So, whether your tree is up or still in the box, I hope this season brings you light, love, and the joy of being with the people who matter most. And who knows? Maybe next year, when the boxes call my name again, I’ll feel ready to answer. Until then, I’ll savour the magic of Christmas wherever I find it. #ChristmasTraditions #HolidayMemories #FamilyChristmas #ChangingTraditions #ChristmasNostalgia #TreeOrnaments #FamilyTime #SimplifyingChristmas #HolidayReflections #ChristmasWithoutRegina #ChristmasLights #ChristmasAmbiance #GenerationalTraditions #LoveAndMemories #EmbracingTheSeason
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AuthorJames was born in Toronto and graduated from York University in 1978. From Promise to Peril is the first of three books in a Trilogy in which he brings his amazing fictional characters to life by creatively weaving them throughout actual historical events. He now resides in Milton, Ontario. Archives
November 2024
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