Memories and Thoughts

remembering

This time of year can make us very melancholy as we remember loved ones who have died and will not be spending the holidays with us.  Maybe memories of this past year make you wonder how 2016 will be any better.  Maybe this is the first holiday season you will spend since your divorce or loss of job or any other hurtful experience.  I get it.  I have had a few Christmases where I would rather just spend it alone in my room and under my covers.

On the other hand, many of our holiday memories can make us smile and remember “the good old days.”  Stringing popcorn for the tree, making sugar cookies, going Christmas caroling door to door, out of town relatives arriving, singing in concerts, wrapping presents, the anticipation of opening presents under the tree with our name on them, and so on.

Do you remember having your picture taken on Santa’s lap?  Hearing the Christmas story read for the 20th time?  Do you remember the excitement of opening your stocking on Christmas morning?  Aaaaah, the memories!

I have been thinking lately about all the men and women who are serving in the war and will spend their Christmas away from their families.  Hopefully, they will be able to connect with their loved ones by Skype or Facetime or even on the phone sometime this month.  Hopefully, they will receive presents sent with love to hold onto and enjoy.  I highly respect and am grateful for the thousands of soldiers serving across the seas and on our own soil.  Thank you all for your service and certainly for your sacrifice and your family’s, as well.

One of the issues I haven’t spent much time thinking about is when the soldiers come home and suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD).  The experiences soldiers have had and the memories that are forever embedded in their minds, can make their own minds a warzone and their families suffer because it as well.  I am sure they wish they could just turn their memories off and go on with life.  PTSD is a huge result of being in the military and affects millions of soldiers and their families.

On Tuesday, Dec. 1, Chris and Rahnella Adsit, of “Branches of Valor”, will be my guests on the Chained No More Talk Radio Show at 2pm ET at www.toginet.com.  They will discuss the topic, “Military/First Responder PTSD.”  They have written books and curriculums used around the world and will teach us about the effects and causes of this horrible condition.  They have a lot of experience with this topic and will be very encouraging and enlightening.

So, what are some good memories you have of holidays gone by?  Find someone to reminisce with, even if it is by phone or email. The sweetest memories I have are times spent celebrating the birth of Jesus at home and at church.  I can see it now…..