6 Important People To Think Of This Christmas

We are literally days away from saying goodbye to one of the craziest, most difficult years that many of us have ever faced. There’s just one more “hurdle” to jump over before that happens, CHRISTMAS! You either love it or hate it, but whichever side of the fence you choose to sit on, the day is almost upon us. By now, the tree and the decorations are probably up, and the shopping may be done, or not, that’s your prerogative! I’ve found that the older I get, there is less urgency where this season is concerned. I look forward to spending time with my family as I consider myself incredibly lucky to have these important people in my life. For what it’s worth, Christmas is still one of the most magical times of the year, and it still gives me that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

I consider myself lucky to have unforgettable memories of Christmas as a child. Growing up on the island of Trinidad and Tobago with my parents and my siblings by my side, Christmas was EVERYTHING! I immersed myself in the grandeur of the season and cherished every moment spent decorating the tree and the house and preparing for the big day. My parents spent countless hours in the kitchen days ahead of Christmas, making sure we had all the yummies our hearts desired. In Trinidad and Tobago, Christmas is ripe with culture and traditions, and I hold these close to my heart. Wherever you’re from in this great big world, two things that seem to be significant at this time of the year are family and traditions.

I remembered something the other day, and I cringed just a little. I had a thought as a child, an innocent one at that, but one that got me thinking about just how narrow a child’s world really is. While watching tv on Christmas Day, completely in awe at the seasonal splendor around me, I saw an ad about what movies were playing at the movie theatre on Christmas day. I remember what I said to my family members, “Who would ever go to see a movie on Christmas Day?” A simple question, because in the eyes of a child who had lots of food to eat and family to spend the day with, I couldn’t fathom that some people out there were not as fortunate as I to have such simple things.

But the truth is, there are many people out there who absolutely dread this season, and it is our DUTY to be mindful of this and keep these people in our thoughts during Christmas. Maybe they are dreading it for the first time this year or have dreaded it their whole lives. Whatever the case, keep them in your thoughts. If you have the means to do it and you know someone like this, maybe you can go the extra mile and simply give them a call to let them know you are thinking of them. So, who are these people anyway?

Keep these people in your thoughts on Christmas

1. The person with depression

I have two people in my household living with depression, my teenage daughter and my husband. Depression is real, affecting the person diagnosed with it and those living with them in real ways. They may want to enjoy the season and everything that goes with it, but the disease may be crippling them to the point that they just can’t. It can be hard seeing everyone around being cheerful and enjoying life. It can be hard to smile; it can be hard to get out of bed; it can be hard to get something to eat. IT CAN BE HARD. Send these people good vibes and positive thoughts while you celebrate because they need it.

2. The person with no relatives in their lives

This is the person who has a family but has been cut off from them for whatever reason. The reason may be valid, or it may not be, but in the end, all that is left is brokenness and heartache for everyone involved. Christmas can be a very lonely time for these people as they look around and see families gathering and doing things together. There is no better time than at Christmas to put differences aside, but let’s face it, not everyone can, and all that is left is sadness and loneliness. Think of these people as you celebrate this Christmas.

3. The person who has suffered a loss

This year, many have experienced loss due to Covid. There will be families sitting around the dinner table on Christmas Day, and there will be an empty chair that a loved one once occupied. My heart breaks for these families because their pain is great, as many were unable to say proper goodbyes. As we think about these people, let us not forget that other things can also rip families apart, such as car accidents, cancer, and drug overdoses. Loss is never pleasant, nor is it easy. It may be one of the hardest things that people have to face in their lives because life changes in the blink of an eye, and there is nothing you can say or do to change it. And as eager as we may be as friends or colleagues to help someone get through something like this, we can’t speed it along. It is a process; it is in itself a journey that you cannot take for them but a journey that you can be present on to lend a hand or a listening ear.

• a lost spouse

I love my husband, I love him fiercely, and to wrap my brain around a life in which he does not exist, is unfathomable to me. I can only imagine the pain that comes with losing a soulmate. I got to see it firsthand when my father passed away. I saw my mom trying to envisage life without my dad, and it nearly broke me. Her companion, her best friend, and her champion was gone, and she was left with an emptiness that, in reality, was never filled. Think of these people as you celebrate Christmas because the pain and emptiness they will feel may be too much to bear.

• a lost child

I’ve heard it said countless times, “A parent should never have to bury their own child.” But the fact of the matter is, many do, and these people walk among us every day. They carry this incredible burden on their shoulders and cry themselves to sleep at night. They dread Christmas because there will be one less present under the tree and one empty chair at the dining table. Think of these people as you celebrate Christmas this year.

• a lost sibling

To say goodbye to someone who has known you most or all of your life has got to be incredibly difficult. Spending special occasions such as Christmas without them may be unbearable. If you know someone who has lost a sibling, please keep them in your thoughts this Christmas.

• a lost parent

I have lost both of my parents. Even though time has eased the pain, it somehow always seems to resurface in different ways during the holidays. The littlest of things remind me of them. Sometimes I tear up a little, and other times I find myself on the bathroom floor crying my heart out. My parents were the very heart and soul of every Christmas that I experienced as a child and young adult. They had this unique way of making it unforgettable, no matter what was going on around us. Even when I migrated to the USA, talking with them over the phone kept the magic alive. Now that they are gone, I feel the magic has faded for me, and I find myself trying really hard to ensure my kids don’t see that emptiness in me. Losing a parent is rough, really rough. If you know someone who has, keep them in your thoughts this Christmas.

• a lost pet

I am a dog-lover at heart, and I have been surrounded by them my whole life. Pets aren’t just our four-legged friends; for some (like me), they are family, through and through. Losing a pet can be just as devastating as losing a family member. Please don’t underestimate the grief that comes with it. If you know someone who has lost a pet recently, please keep them in your thoughts this Christmas.

4. The person who lost their job this year

Chances are you know at least one person who was laid off this year due to the Covid-19 virus. It has undoubtedly been challenging to provide for their families while enduring hardships that most people never thought they would in this lifetime. To the parents who can’t afford to buy their kids a present this Christmas, I am thinking of you. To the parents who can’t provide an elaborate Christmas dinner for the family, I am thinking of you. Please think of them too, as you celebrate this Christmas.

5. The person who can’t visit family

Some countries still have their borders closed and so traveling there is not an option. Some people don’t have enough money to embark on a journey to meet family members as they struggle to pay the bills and put food on the table. Some are trying to do the right thing and keep their distance from family members to curb the spread of Covid. Whatever the reason, Christmas is going to look a lot different this year for many people. It may be the first time that some families aren’t gathering. Please keep these people in your thoughts as you celebrate Christmas this year.

6. The elderly

Growing old can be a difficult and sometimes lonely journey. Many of our elderly folks will be spending Christmas away from family or looking on at a distance with no chance of getting a nice, warm, comforting hug from a loved one. Many of them are depressed, and many are frustrated with themselves as they can no longer do things that were once easy to do. Many have lost friends their age to Covid, and many are terrified that they too may contract the virus. As you celebrate Christmas this year, please keep the elderly in your thoughts.

We all face different challenges in our lives, some of which have become even more difficult to face in 2020. As we focus on being grateful for the good things in our lives this Christmas season, let us not forget that people all around us have been stretched to their limits, and loss has become a reality for many. Smile always, love always and be kind always.