A Senior’s Faith and the Holiday Blues
“Peace on Earth” and “Joy to the World” usually elicit sentiments of good cheer, family, and friends. For those that are alone, isolated, and weary, however, the opposite can be true. The cheer promoted by others can underline the degree of isolation and grate upon a weary spirit. The ‘same old, same old’ answers of our faith can become to feel tired and unreal.
Somewhere between the late 20’s and early 40’s, many people go through a period of time where they question the faith that was passed on to them by their families. They question at that age because they feel invincible and immortal. A little more living and a crisis or two usually brings them back to a deeper, more sanguine faith. You’d think that would be enough.
But the weariness of age can occasion a reprieve of this questioning. With age, our perspectives seem to simplify. Specific, little rules, whether issued by governments or religions, take on less and less importance than the spirit and basis from which they empowered. Such basics can be reevaluated by seniors under the harsh light of a lifetime of experience. Faith, as one of those basics, is not immune. If it wavers, a powerful counterpoint to the Holiday Blues, as well as the vicissitudes of everyday life, is lost.
For those in this state, the most powerful antidote to the Holiday Blues is one, true friend. Unfortunately, that friend may exist, but not know, that they are needed. (Don’t we all love to wallow?) In that situation, it is the blunt responsibility of the wallowing senior to alert that friend. Otherwise, that senior is disavowing the friendship.
On the other hand, if that senior can identify no friend and feels friendless and isolated, it can become a real challenge to face the day each morning. Just when you feel the weakest, you need to act the strongest. Once again, attitude is everything.
In this situation, a senior has to accept the responsibility to change the situation. They first need to announce their Holiday Blues by reaching out to their caregivers, their careless family members, their merchants, and their neighbors. That reach should not include bitterness or wallowing because it dilutes the message. If that reach is genuine, the warmth of the human spirit will respond.
One way to enhance that reach is for the senior to serve it accompanied by the delicious drink of forgiveness, especially to caring, but hurt, family members. Forgiveness is one of the most freeing experiences for the giver and a treasured prize for the receiver. That gift could transform a Blues Holiday into one of the most treasured of your life.
For anyone reading this who is not a senior, this is a good time to reach out to old Aunt Ellie and Uncle Joe who nobody talks about anymore. It will help build your faith and cheer as well as theirs.
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