🎃 It’s All About Perspective: Finding Joy in the Holidays

Every year, it seems like someone somewhere is disputing a holiday we celebrate here in the United States.

Political debates, personal beliefs — from Valentine’s Day to Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and all the ones in between — there’s always a reason someone feels the need to question or reject it.

And you know what? I get it.

History isn’t always accurate. Many holidays have messy origins, and yes — Hallmark figured out how to cash in on every one of them. Can we blame them? Not really.

But here’s where I stand — to each their own. Everyone has the right to believe what they believe and to celebrate (or not) what makes sense for them.

When I was growing up, my mother always found a way to make holidays special — sweet little gestures for me and my brothers. And when the grandkids came along, she carried that same tradition forward.

When my kids were young, I did the same.

And honestly, I think I’d like to start again, even though they’re adults now and my granddaughter’s a senior in high school.

What made me write this today is simple — it’s Halloween. I showed up dressed as Wednesday Addams’ grandmother (yes, you read that right 😆). Our theme in CV today is “Wednesday Theme,” and while I haven’t been upstairs yet, I’ve heard folks are dressed up too. There’s laughter, smiles, and a little bit of magic in the air.

Sure, you can take any holiday and spin it into something negative — call it commercialized, pagan, political, or false history.

But why not flip it the other way?

Why not lean into the joy — the fun, the food, the fellowship, and the memories that bring us together?

It’s all about perspective. We don’t have to drag every tradition through the mud of history. We can hold awareness and choose connection.

Because sometimes, the world needs more smiles and a few good costumes to remind us that we’re still human, still playful, and still here to celebrate life — together.