Up The Farway Tree

Christmas Traditions: Old and New

Christmas is a time of wonderment and enchantment; the season of glittering Christmas trees, twinkling fairy lights and beautifully wrapped gifts that rouse a sense of excitement and intrigue. Yet, paradoxically it is also a time of reflection and contemplation, where emotions can be at odds with one another; joy and excitement suddenly and unexpectedly giving way to a sense of sadness. It is a time of year when the loss of loved ones becomes painfully clear and old emotional wounds can begin to ache. Traditions slowly evolve to encompass the changes loss can bring upon family dynamics and with time everyone gradually learns to accept and adapt.

These thoughts crept into my consciousness last weekend when I was decorating the Christmas tree. I bring back decorations from all my holidays as a souvenir, so decorating the tree is like flicking through an old photo album. There are glittery baubles from New York, where I got engaged, a bright yellow duck from Boston where I completed a 4 week elective at university, small tartan (!) clad reindeer's I bought when Frances Ann and I went on a shopping weekend for her 18th birthday, a glass angel from Rome, which was the last holiday abroad I went on before being listed for transplant. Memories from over the years flashed through my mind, and filled me with a sense of accomplishment with where my life has taken me. Yet it also reminds me of how much living I still want to do, and how much I have to lose if I do not get a transplant. I then came across the angel decoration in the photograph, which is a little wind chime that Frances Ann bought me the Christmas before she died. I treasure this dearly and it takes pride of place on the tree. After the initial bubbling of emotion settles, I can look at the tree every day and in seeing the angel, I have a reminder of my beautiful sister and each Christmas we shared together.



So, yes traditions will evolve and people will adapt, but memories from over the years will never fade. Christmas may be a time for reflection and reminiscing, however it need not be a time for mourning. Memories should be a source of laughter and, as a family, we should embrace Christmas with the love and joy we have always known, and not feel at all guilty for enjoying the celebration. I know that Frances Ann is with us is in spirit and mind, and she will look on with a smile and a nod of approval. After all, I still have many more Christmas days to celebrate, and many more decorations to collect, so I intend to approach the season as I always do - with the attitude and mentality of a 5 year old.

p.s only 8 more sleeps