| HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: HAPPY TIMES, RIGHT? | | | | Hearing |
| WORD COUNT: 285 | | | | Stamina |
| This time of the year is supposed to be happy. A | | | | Career |
| time when family is warm and welcoming. A time for | | | | Muscle |
| loving and feeling loved. | | | | Eyesight |
| We watch the annual TV specials which emotionally | | | | Mobility |
| choke us up. We watch those traditional, mushy | | | | Attendance at house of worship |
| movies like Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a | | | | Hobbies |
| Wonderful Life which bring sentimental tears to our | | | | Figure |
| eyes. We watch those heartwrenching Hallmark | | | | Friends |
| commercials which make us sob dramatically. All of | | | | Car |
| these portray the ideal and they always end happily. | | | | Siblings |
| But real life isn’t like that. | | | | Independence |
| Watching and listening to all the hype and sweetness | | | | Spouse |
| reminds many of us of our losses. We think of the | | | | Finances |
| things we won’t have this year, or any year | | | | Choice |
| ever again. The holiday season is actually the season | | | | Lifelong collections |
| of much depression and sadness. Just imagine for a | | | | Personal belongings |
| moment how many losses a person of 70, 80 or 90 | | | | Purpose |
| may have endured. | | | | Home |
| To help us understand those losses, here is a partial | | | | If the depression persists into the new year, get help |
| list. | | | | from a mental health clinic. To voice the losses and |
| Hair | | | | the feelings can sometimes release them. Spend |
| Energy | | | | some time with elders this season and listen to their |
| Parents | | | | stories. |
| Taut skin | | | | |