Remembering Those Who are Away - Kevin Dayhoff, 24Dec2021: It is a tradition to leave a light in the window to remember folks who are away from home or have died. To remember the folks who have gone before us and helped pave the way for the quality of life and freedoms we enjoy today. We want them to know that they are missed, and we want to light the way for their memories and their soul to visit during the holidays.
The light comes with a silent prayer for their safe return and that someone has remained behind to tend to the home fires and wait for their return – to light the way until we meet again.
For many the Christmas season is tough enough. The season has become a vampire squid that has wrapped itself around our neck, annexed Thanksgiving and Halloween and turned November and December into an endurance contest of relentless responsibilities, expectations, and shallow end-of-the-year celebrations.
For whatever reason, contemporary American society seems to have turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to the grieving process and shoved it into a dark corner. Changes in the circumstances of our life are a natural part of our existence.
The holidays are a busy time, but never too busy to stop and ponder the benefits of all the blessings we enjoy as a result of a loved-one, friend, colleague, brother or sister in arms, or a family member that has left our side and greatly missed.
I often stress that folks who deal with death and tragedy on the job or have suffered a loss in their personal life - find a friend and ‘keep talking about it.’
