by Shauna Dorko, Owner, Sidney SeniorCare –
As the holidays approach, we are all reminded of what this special time of year means to us. Whether we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali or other cultural or religious festivals, it is a magical time to not only observe age-old traditions, but to gather together young and old to enjoy the peace and beauty of the season.
Steeped in tradition and age-old rites, it’s a golden opportunity to let the seniors in your life really shine; trust me, they have the inside track on the best Christmas movie classics, the best cranberry rugelach recipes, and tricks to get that turkey dinner cooked to juicy perfection.
There are more than a few famous seniors and their talents associated with this time of year – Frank Sinatra and his Have Yourself a Merry Little Chrismas is a classic that just gets better over the years. And probably the most famous Christmas song of all, Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, has reigned supreme since it was first released in 1942. In terms of movie classics, who hasn’t watched the 70+ year-old It’s a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart at least a gazillion times. The wisdom, values and messaging in these classics are timeless, no matter how many decades pass. And the seniors of today are not only well acquainted with these seasonal favourites, they grew up with the stars that made these classics famous.
With no doubt, at the ripe old age of 1,748 years old, the most celebrated senior of all is Father Christmas, “Saint Nick” or “Santa Claus” as he is more commonly known. According to legend, a monk named Nicholas was born in Turkey sometime during 270 AD. He became well-known for his generosity, kind heart and association with gift-giving. His signature “miracle” of, according to legend, placing gold in the hanging stockings of three sisters to provide money for a dowry so that they would not end up as “ladies of ill repute” became widespread, and his good deeds eventually deemed him the patron saint of children, among other titles. His death on December 6, 343 AD, became a day of reverence for many, and the legend of “Sinterklaas” later spread to America by a group of Dutch settlers.
These famous seniors, and many more, have really added the sparkle to Christmas as we now know it. This holiday season, let’s honour the seniors in our lives for the special stories and traditions that make this time of year so magical for us all.
Written in collaboration with Sherrin Griffin. We welcome all comments, suggestions and ideas for future columns. Please email us at news@seasidemagazine.ca with “Seniors” in the subject line.
