Here we are at the end of the year 2020. This is normally the time of year when we and those around us are readying for the holidays, making lists, shopping for just the right items, planning menus, greeting strangers with smiles and making plans to be with loved ones. Much of this will be changed or even abandoned as many consider the holidays in the light of the year we have been having. As this year of isolation, fear and uncertainty comes to a close, we are sending our best wishes for a holiday season that brings a little joy into your world.
Our Rose Hill Lane family of caregivers and care recipients come from all over the world and I have had the pleasure of learning that the holiday season isn’t just in December, but rather throughout the year. Celebrations come in many forms – Eid, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Mahayana, Lunar Festivals and so much more. Even Christmas is celebrated differently across the world and on different dates, as do many Eastern Europeans who celebrate in early January.
Honouring and remembering traditions is a global yearning. Tradition helps to calm us, reminds us of our histories and grounds us to our ancestors and families. And it often comes in the form of food, maybe a secret family recipe for cranberry sauce, dumplings steamed in a special basket, sheer khurma made with dates from a specific grove, latkes seasoned with homegrown herbs – giving, receiving and sharing food is a significant part of most celebrations.
At Rose Hill Lane, our caregivers strive to bring some comfort and joy to those we provide care to – by helping them to honour the traditions they hold dear – any time of the year. Whether it is helping someone to decorate their home, prepare a special recipe, write a greeting or help someone to remember the words to their favourite prayer. We do this with the pride of being given the honour to do so. And more importantly, we do this work because it lifts our hearts and spirits.
This year, we ask you to make some time to spend a few moments reaching out to the elderly in your community, the isolated, the lonely and the forgotten in your world. This year more than ever, in a time where we cannot give each other a hug, offer a smile or break bread together, it is important to convey with our hearts and our words how important it is to connect with one another. Finding small ways to connect with those who really need some care and kindness will surely lift your spirits too!
From the Rose Hill Lane family, we wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season!