Memories of holidays can be made anew

At last, the long holiday weekend is here. Hopefully, the rush to get those presents — and to get them wrapped — is subsiding. It’s time to get together with family and friends and exchange pleasantries as much as gifts. It’s time to relax and enjoy. And make memories.

That’s what we bring you in today’s edition. Starting on the front page, and continuing inside the A section, you’ll read stories of memories of Christmases past, submitted to us by our readers in Charles County and throughout Southern Maryland.

One recalls the simple joy of Christmas in 1955, with a fresh-cut cedar from the farm as the Christmas tree, and the smells of country sausage. Another involves a man getting the holiday he never had as an orphaned boy — and from a shoebox, no less. Still another brings back a time of a house full of relatives, homemade pizza and midnight Mass. Another weaves the stor y of a Christmas journey across the Potomac to deliver a waterman to his family. Also, there is a stor y about a woman building a Nativity scene a piece at a time, and getting in touch with its deeper meaning.

In most of these tales, one theme is prominent: family. Whether that family is formed by blood or by the bonds of friendship or even mere shared experiences on a cold winter night, it is an unmatched necessity during the holidays. And as we celebrate the joy of the season this week, it seems there is no better time of year to be surrounded by the friendly faces of those we love.

Some of us may have family in other states, or even other countries. Some may have loved ones serving overseas this holiday. Some may have family living just across the street. And many who have shared the holidays with us in the past have passed on.

Indeed, it may not be possible for some to see their families this Christmas, but we hope that wherever they are, they are in good company. And wherever each of our readers plans to celebrate this special time of year, we hope you find yourselves warm, safe and in good company.

We also understand not every one of our readers celebrates the Christmas season. Nevertheless, we wish you a happy and healthy final week of 2016. May you ring in the new year with laugh- ter, hope and the ones you love close beside you.

Be safe this holiday season, and especially take care not to get behind the wheel of a car after consuming alcohol. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office and La Plata barrack of the Maryland State Police continue to urge residents to plan ahead before Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties — have a designated driver, or call a cab for a sober ride home. According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office, December holidays are the deadliest as a result of drunk driving.

So spend the next two weekends with friends and family, but take steps to do so safely. Let’s make sure we all get to where we are going and back again. Here’s to continued holiday memory making.