The Holidays

Having worked in the social service field for a little while now I am always reminded of the pain and suffering that people are going through during this joyous time.  It's the Christmas season (even though it's technically over now...) and the start of a new year.  It's a time to celebrate the birth of Christ and get together with family members and friends that we haven't seen for a while.  However, not everyone has family and friends to greet and embrace, not everyone has a relationship with their families, and others yet have high conflict families that cause great pain and suffering throughout the holiday.  

I was reading in the paper this week about exchange students (particularly college students) that have nowhere to go during the Christmas season, their families are all oversees, their friends are busy with their families, their customs and traditions aren't even possible here for whatever reason.  However, that's not what the article was about...the article was about people (friends, professors, etc) taking these people and bringing them home to their families to enjoy the festivities with their families!  I thought this was pretty awesome for people to be doing.  While the exchange student may not be able to celebrate the holidays with their usual customs and traditions, they were all very grateful that they did not have to spend the holidays on their own.  To me, this reminds me that there are still gracious people left out there.  That joyous holidays don't have to be lonely for many people.  

So even though Christmas is done, and you already have New Years plans, if you know of someone who is going to be lonely during the remainder of the season, invite them to your house, celebrate with them, enjoy their company.  Too often we get stuck in our own lives to remember about those that are around us...especially during the holidays.  

Thank you to everyone that has made this a great year!  May God bless you in the year to come!