"The Simplicity of a Hopeful Holidays"
By Kathryn McNamara
Ever look around and notice everyone else appears to be full of glee, joy, and happiness during the holiday season? While it seems that way I felt as though I could not relate and I desired what other families may have had unlike myself. I admit I once had the holiday blues and it started when I was around twelve years old and pretty much ever since because my twin had left home and my parents’ divorced previously. Ever since that year and afterward until this year realistically I just felt like I did not look forward to much. I was emotionally numb. Each year the holidays just felt like an average day to me. I did not really understand why everyone else seemed so ecstatic about the holidays and why I could not be joyous and jolly. I was in denial of my emotions.
Just within the last year, however, I opened my eyes to the sincere meaning of Christmas. It was not whether I had the perfect family dynamic, the amount of presents under the tree, the decorations, the material, whether I had a fancy car, or popularity such as the ability to fit in and actually seem to have the most friends, or be the best at everything others conquered so easily or it seemed anyway. The true purpose of the holiday is to appreciate the invaluable things otherwise known as family, love, health, and a sense of self. Those are the values that could not be bought for all the money in the world. They come from the heart, and I could not be anymore grateful that at such a young age I had the opportunity to know that. I learned that it does not matter what everyone else has, nor should I compare myself to anyone. Presently, I just know what matters most would be I could sit in my living room, enjoy the scenery of my beautiful Christmas tree alongside my mother, and help my twin brother, Brian, understand the holiday and truly participate during the holiday to make his day meaningful for him at his residential school and that he also genuinely appreciates his family such as the wonderful school staff.
Siblings with a Mission is a non-profit, international organization established to serve and support siblings of individuals with special needs. All images are found on Google images and are solely used for education purposes. The stories and advice provided by Siblings with a Mission are not to be replaced by professional advice and counseling but to be considered as an additional source of support.
By Kathryn McNamara
Ever look around and notice everyone else appears to be full of glee, joy, and happiness during the holiday season? While it seems that way I felt as though I could not relate and I desired what other families may have had unlike myself. I admit I once had the holiday blues and it started when I was around twelve years old and pretty much ever since because my twin had left home and my parents’ divorced previously. Ever since that year and afterward until this year realistically I just felt like I did not look forward to much. I was emotionally numb. Each year the holidays just felt like an average day to me. I did not really understand why everyone else seemed so ecstatic about the holidays and why I could not be joyous and jolly. I was in denial of my emotions.
Just within the last year, however, I opened my eyes to the sincere meaning of Christmas. It was not whether I had the perfect family dynamic, the amount of presents under the tree, the decorations, the material, whether I had a fancy car, or popularity such as the ability to fit in and actually seem to have the most friends, or be the best at everything others conquered so easily or it seemed anyway. The true purpose of the holiday is to appreciate the invaluable things otherwise known as family, love, health, and a sense of self. Those are the values that could not be bought for all the money in the world. They come from the heart, and I could not be anymore grateful that at such a young age I had the opportunity to know that. I learned that it does not matter what everyone else has, nor should I compare myself to anyone. Presently, I just know what matters most would be I could sit in my living room, enjoy the scenery of my beautiful Christmas tree alongside my mother, and help my twin brother, Brian, understand the holiday and truly participate during the holiday to make his day meaningful for him at his residential school and that he also genuinely appreciates his family such as the wonderful school staff.
Siblings with a Mission is a non-profit, international organization established to serve and support siblings of individuals with special needs. All images are found on Google images and are solely used for education purposes. The stories and advice provided by Siblings with a Mission are not to be replaced by professional advice and counseling but to be considered as an additional source of support.
