Make new traditions in this eventful year

The holidays have begun. I hope that all the candy and treats given out for Halloween don’t spark a rash of new virus cases. As usual, we were party poopers and didn’t offer the first treat.

Our niece, Margaret, had a novel idea for her young daughters. She and her husband made up goody bags and hid them in their neighbors’ yards. The kids had a ball searching for the treats. The older girl proclaimed that this was the best Halloween ever. 

Today is election day. It is the one time of the year that we get to choose who represents our country. Living in a small town we know many of the candidates. We know, or think we know, which of our friends and neighbors will do what is best for us and our community.

The presidential election makes me glad that our votes are anonymous. People on both sides get quite adamant about which candidate will be the best one to guide our country. They are not shy about spreading their opinion that their choice is best. I will be so glad when the election is over and all the whining and recounts and pouting are over for the next four years.

Next on the calendar is Veterans’ Day. I am not a veteran. Two out of three of my uncles were. One was in the Army, the other in the Marines. The third uncle intended to go into the Navy but he flunked the physical. Likewise two out of my four cousins were in the service. Thankfully none of them saw combat. Veteran’s Day is one of the few observances that hasn't been moved to a Monday.

At the end of November comes Thanksgiving. With all that has happened this year, we should be thankful that we are still here. I wonder how many people will adhere to the guidelines to wear masks, wash our hands often and keep our distance from others. I don’t know how parents, grandparents, and distant family will be able to refrain from hugging each other. Will there be a family get together this year? 

At some point the radio (yes, the radio) will begin playing the same Christmas songs every day. I happen to like Christmas music, but not all day every day for an entire month or more. Along this same time the shoppers will be out. Their numbers may be reduced this year as some are expected to do most of their shopping online.

As usual, people will be on the lookout for that very special gift that someone must have. If you haven’t figured it out already, that same special present will be ignored after a week or so. Better to get some oddball thing that the person has never heard of. Of course, once the recipient turns 13 they will get cash unless they request otherwise.

The gift that most of us want the most is a return to the way things were. It is also the present that we cannot have. Time, as we know it, is linear. There is no rewinding our lives. Going back is not an option. All we can do is to live our lives the best we know how.

The other major religions all have their own traditions that are celebrated during the last few months of the year. They do not get as much publicity as the omnipresent Santa Claus. We should be careful to honor unfamiliar beliefs as much as we treasure our own. 

The holidays coming up will make it all the more challenging to keep ourselves and our families safe. We may need to alter our celebrations like our niece did with Halloween. So vote, thank a veteran, eat too much at Thanksgiving and enjoy your family. Maybe new traditions will replace the familiar ones.