Usually, the ‘Destinations’ column describes an interesting or exciting place in Sevier County for you to visit. Today, as we start the first day of the New Year, I would like to ask you to reflect on the best destination of all.
After every journey, regardless of length, the greatest destination is ‘Home’ and what home represents. More than a physical place, home is where love molds a group of people into a family. Those people may be blood relations, ‘step’ relations, ‘half’ relations or ‘no’ relations.
God’s love knows no boundaries and man’s love should follow his lead. A difficulty during the holiday season for old families, blended families and new families, is the competition for priority in fulfilling individual family expectations. Newly married couples may try desperately to please his parents and her parents on Christmas Day, even if it means staying on the road 23 hours out of 24.
The only thing constant in a family relationship is change. Time and circumstances dictate changes in family traditions. The first day of January 2003 brought grief and sorrow to my family. In the early morning hours of January 1, 2003, my father passed away.
My life was forever and irrevocably changed; our family holiday traditions were forever and irrevocably changed. Experiencing death at any time is difficult, but during times of joyous celebration, it is particularly sad. As the New Year’s Eve merrymakers were toasting the New Year, I watched my father struggle for his last breath.
This year our family Christmas celebration was a bit subdued, as we all remembered Christmases past when Pappaw played hide-and-seek with the grandchildren; insisted on family pictures in front of the Christmas tree; and highly praised the cornbread dressing and pecan pie. Necessity has caused our family traditions to change; as it will eventually impact all families.
The only family tradition the Spirit of Christmas demands of us is that families come together in love and to honor the Christ child. And that love descends on us equally, as mothers and fathers, stepchildren, half-nephews, second cousins, next-door neighbors and the homeless person on the corner.
It doesn’t matter if you celebrate on December 25, December 14 or February 3. What matters is that a time is set aside for the family to come together and to celebrate the greatest gift ever given to humankind.
If your family has experienced a life-changing event this past year; such as a death, divorce or marriage, be gentle with yourself and your family members. If you preface all decisions with the ‘reason for the season’ in your heart, you won’t go wrong.
Be patient with newly married couples, they will soon figure out that circumnavigating the globe on Christmas Day satisfies no one. They will eventually incorporate a few traditions from each of the in-laws and develop their own unique Christmas traditions.
It is not the timing of the family celebration; it is the intent. It is not opening presents at 1 p.m. on December 25; it is acknowledging the most precious gift ever given. It is not the decorations, wrapping paper or tinsel but, rather, it is living that gift of love in your heart 365 days a year.
After several weeks exploring English castles or driving the back roads of southern Spain, I am anxious for my own bed and my worn bedroom slippers. But I am most anxious to hug my loved ones, and know that all is well in my home.
Moe and I wish all of you a Happy New Year.

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