This will be remembered as a holiday season like no other.
We may all be singing the same song, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
We must stay apart now so that all of us can one day be together again.
The Christmas holidays are often bittersweet and Santa brings each of us a mixed bag of emotions. It is a stressful time with pressure to overspend and indulge. We have memories of holidays past – some good and some bad – and miss those who are no longer with us.
As children we eventually learn that we never get everything we want for Christmas. If you have your heart set on a perfect Hallmark holiday or one particularly coveted toy, you’re set up for disappointment.
The pandemic has brought us stress – emotional, social and financial – at a whole new level. It has affected every one of us, but most affected have been the elderly, vulnerable and marginalized. It has shown us that we can do better collectively to better care for everyone in communities across Canada.
It has taught us what matters most. Though we may miss travel, hockey games, dining out, parties, movie theatres and live entertainment, we realize how much more important are relationships – our connection with family, friends and other people in our lives.
We’ve realized that not one of us can survive in isolation. We are intimately connected – and interdependent – with not just those in our household bubble but with countless others.
We need others, and we can make a positive difference in the lives of others. Everyone matters.
Those working in essential services have ensured that most of us can get to school or work, have food on our tables – and toilet paper in our washrooms. Teachers have been there for our children. Healthcare workers have continued to support us in health and illness.
So many have continued to work day after day throughout this pandemic – taking extraordinary measures to keep us all as safe as possible – yet we are all vulnerable.
I am confident that we can all adapt to the reality of our pandemic and learn new safe and responsible ways to celebrate the season and discover other ways of connecting while staying at home.
I have been impressed how we have adapted individually and collectively. Many met the threats of the pandemic with resourcefulness, generosity and kindness.
Collectively, we have stepped up and learned to work together better than ever to look after the most vulnerable in our communities. One example I’ve seen is Burnaby’s Primary Care Network – a cooperation of many community organizations to address homelessness, social isolation and financial distress exacerbated by the pandemic.
The best gifts we can give this season are to stay safe, reach out and connect in creative ways and help the many in need.
Though food banks may get more food donations during the holiday season, the need is present all year long. There are food banks open throughout Greater Vancouver. The schedule is available at foodbank.bc.ca.
Consider making a cash donation. This requires less work for volunteers, allows the food bank to take advantage of bulk buying and may ensure a better supply of the essentials.
In years past, my extended family traditionally observed the four Sundays of Advent with weekly dinners. This year, we met virtually through weekly Zoom celebrations. This year, reach out by phone or video to your friends, family and neighbours – especially those alone at home.
We may all be giving a lot of IOUs – activities we can do together when we have all survived and thrived at the end of the pandemic.
I wish all our readers a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.
Dr. Davidicus Wong is a family physician. His Healthwise Column appears regularly in this paper. For more on achieving your positive potential in health, read his blog at davidicuswong.wordpress.com.
