Recalling the greatest gifts of all
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 now 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 favorite, treasured gifts from Christmases past. Many were submitted to us by our readers in Charles County and throughout Southern Maryland, and some were gathered by our staff writers from notable newsmakers in our region.
In one story, a woman remembers receiving a much-wished-for doll. In other holiday tales, an automobile, a camera and a gaming system are also happily recalled Christmas gifts by others, deeply appreciated and gratefully used.
Other memories have less to do with material goods. In one, a man celebrates the gift of forgiveness. Another exalts the gift of being able to afford to help loved ones travel home for the holidays. Yet another recalls receiving the gift of an adopted child on Christmas Eve.
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 commodity in this sometimes thoughtless world.
And as we celebrate the joy of the season this week and next, 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 happy and safe. And wherever each of our readers plans to celebrate this special time of year, we hope you find yourselves content, secure and in good company.
We also understand not every one of our readers celebrates the Christmas season, and has deep ties to other, sincerely held cultural or religious observances and traditions. Whatever the case, we wish you a happy and healthy final week of 2016. May you ring in the new year with laughter, 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, and to all the gifts of the season — not just the tangible ones, but also those kept deep in our hearts.