It's Christmas Eve, and this year, my family and I have no decorations up. There's no beautiful tree, no lights broadcasting that holiday feeling to all the neighbors driving past, nothing. The holidays don't really even mean anything to our family anymore. Since my father has dementia, any change in his surroundings causes him to fall into disorientation, which just leads into arguments...
On the one hand, I don't mind that we don't decorate for the holidays. It's just a waste of time and money. Whatever we put up, just has to come down again in a month. On the other though, I feel sad looking at my family as a whole. We don't have extended family like most others, nor do we have any friends that come over to visit. It's just us. Me, my mom, and my dad.
Ultimately however, it's how you spend the holidays that matter. If simply being present and together like us is enough, then no amount of decorations can make it better.
Merry Christmas!
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