The week between Christmas and New Year's Day can either be wonderful for those spending time with people they know and love (sometimes people they haven't seen all year long), but it can also be a sad week for those who are alone or not feeling well. Either way this week happens whether we like it or not, and we have to find ways to handle it.
As a snowstorm made its way into our skies (NYC area), we braced for another round of shoveling; however, with the kids home for the holidays I will have plenty of help. Still, with a significant snowfall there is the inevitable cabin fever that can manifest itself rather quickly. That's something else that has to be dealt with as well.
I woke this morning to snowy conditions and drank a warm cup of tea as I looked out the window. I felt no incentive to go out and shovel, even though I will inevitably bundle up and make the inevitable rounds to shovel the driveway, front path and steps, and the sidewalk. I wish I could love winter but I hate it.
Getting back to this either lovely or godawful week, I remember the time between Christmas and New Year's Day differently when I was younger. As a kid, I was in heaven with a week off from school and all the toys I got for Christmas. I would seemingly play all day, go out and see my friends, and basically have a great time. As I became older, I had a part time job after school, but they wanted me to work more hours because they knew I was not going to classes. Still, it was a time to go out with friends, maybe go on a date or two, and still feel very free.
As an adult this time means cleaning up after hosting Christmas Eve, hanging out with my kids more, and watching some TV together (we are currently watching the last season of Stranger Things). It still feels like free time that is unusual but happy because we are all together.
There are people who have no one to be with on Christmas or on those days between that day and New Year's Day. While this may mirror what they experience year round, it must be extremely difficult for them at this time of year. I did some research, and we are currently dealing with a loneliness epidemic where many feel people "isolated, invisible, and insignificant."
This is a pervasive issue that needs to be handled differently. My parents are both gone now, but when they were alive I made an effort to visit them as often as possible. I am happy to say that the older people that are still with us have many visitors and get any help they need. They are aware that they are loved and their needs are met. However, there are many older people (and younger ones too) who have no connections and are alone during this week and throughout the year. This makes the so called "holidays" a very difficult and solemn time for these people.
We can all do something to help out in this situation. It means going out of our way to check on someone we know is alone. It only takes a few minutes to knock on the door to see how they are doing. When it snows like today, we don't even have to say anything and just shovel their sidewalks and steps. If a person is hindered from going outside because of the adverse conditions, it will increase their alone time.
We can also offer to go to the store to get groceries, drive them to a doctor's appointment, or take them out for lunch. I know these things are important to older people because I did them with my elderly parents, but you can also do them with friends or neighbors whom you know have no one else to assist them.
This week between Christmas and New Year's Day can be a joyous time, but it is important to think of other people who could be suffering this week. You can still enjoy yourself as much as you want, but let's remember those who may be suffering and help them out.
The ball will drop again next this Wednesday/Thursday at midnight. Another year will begin and we will embrace it with hope and expectations for good things to come. We can also fully enjoy the moment of the new year's arrival if we think back on what we have done to help people.
This can be a very difficult week for those who are alone, and if you can brighten it in some way, you can make a difference. So, when that ball drops, you will be able to appreciate a new year ahead, and remember loneliness is not one day or week of the year but a 365 day a year problem. Anything you can do in 2026 to help those who are lonely will make this year better for them and for you.
So, Happy New Year to you and yours. May it be a healthy, happy, and prosperous year for all.
No comments:
Post a Comment