Brighten holiday for less fortunate

For many people, the holiday season – especially Christmas – elicits mixed emotions. Thinking back on childhood through adolescence and into the adult years, they recall many vivid memories.

During childhood, especially, there is usually an air of positive feeling that includes the excitement of the holidays, the seemingly never-ending suspense preceding the big event, the mystery of Santa Claus and the fun of shopping for gifts, as well as the thrill of receiving the packages under the tree.

In contrast, adulthood can produce bittersweet reflections on earlier times when our parents were alive, when the children were all at home, and when, perhaps, we had better health and more vitality. And we realize that for older adults or senior citizens, the holidays may mean loneliness and depression, unrest and anxiety.

In counseling during the holiday season, I have heard many adults say they hoped to go through this time quickly. They wished to go to bed early on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day to block out the hours and escape from the reality of the occasion. They literally wanted to sleep through it. Other adults try to escape with alcohol and drugs. Still others isolate themselves and block out all external stimuli that might remind them of the celebrations in progress.

If you are blessed with happy memories or have a positive current situation, there are many ways to give happiness to others less fortunate. The list of the many little ways to bring cheer and erase a few lonely hours would be endless. But here are a few you might consider:

• Prepare a Christmas meal for shut-ins.
• Deliver groceries to a poor family.
• Visit a nursing home on Christmas afternoon. Wear a big smile and carry a few small gifts.
• Bring a few children into your home from facilities that house kids without parents, the abused, the neglected and the unloved.
• Telephone a distant relative who has no family nearby.
• Think about a neighbor who may be alone and invite him to join your holiday meal.
• Remember the mentally ill.
• Bundle up the kids and go caroling. My daughter and her Brownie troop are going to sing to church members who are on the Meals on Wheels list.
• Give to Meals on Wheels.
• Donate a service, a gift or your time and talent.
• Volunteer to staff one of the agencies that must remain open during the holidays. Think about the volunteers at the hospitals who are on duty. Think about the many public servants who will forgo family celebrations to be there for your emergencies. Think about the policemen, the firemen, the telephone operators and others.

Let me finally add that my experience as a psychologist has shown me that one of the surest ways to alleviate self-pity, depression and unpleasant memories is to give a gift of one’s self to someone less fortunate. In doing so, you will receive of the true holiday spirit. May you have a happy and blessed Christmas and store some wonderful memories for future holiday seasons.

Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1988