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I had a quick conversation with my mom Friday morning about the approaching Christmas holiday. We've not really done much this season, for various reasons, outside of baking some cookies, and I know it's bothering her.
She mentioned not really getting much for anyone as far as gifts, as she doesn't really know what anyone wants or needs. To be honest, it's something I've struggled with, as well.
It's hard to know what people already have, and there are only so many coffee mugs, Christmas ornaments, hats, etc. before you get overrun. I always like to get something useful and personal, but that gets more difficult as the years go on.
As for myself, I could easily ask for some new clothes, or some doodad or nick-knack that will probably sit on a shelf.
The reality is, the only thing I truly would like is time.
My three living grandparents are all in their 90s. Even though they are all local, I don't get to see them as often as I should. My paternal grandfather passed six years ago, on Christmas. My dad's been gone 18 years now. There are so many other relatives no longer with us, and others I haven't seen in years unless there has been a chance encounter at the store or something.
Planned family gatherings have been fewer and far between.
Our lives, as a result of today's society, are practically going non-stop, with work and home responsibilities, and whatever other commitments we find ourselves in. We get up, go to work, come home, take care of whatever tasks need attended to, and then go to sleep. Rinse, repeat.
Weekends are typically for those things you didn't get done during the week, so by the time you get everything taken care of, you need to get ready for the next work week.
That's the life for those who are lucky, I suppose, although that's always a matter of perspective, isn't it?
Time is an ever-flowing river. Unstoppable both in practice and perspective. But wouldn't it be nice if we could slow it down, even if just for a little while?
To have those extra moments with loved ones before they are gone forever. To be able to join some friends for a meal every once in a while. To really be able to watch the next generation grow instead of only seeing them in person every couple of years and being surprised as to how tall they have gotten.
It would be nice to feel as if we could stop and take a breath every once in a while, instead of always worrying about what's next. To be able to just get in the car and take a drive for a little bit. I've managed a couple of those moments this year, but it never seems quite enough.
The pace of our society, as we've built it, isn't doing any of us a favor. We've conditioned ourselves to believe that if we aren't constantly busy, we aren't doing anything meaningful. But, it's important to be able to have those moments, both for ourselves and for others, in order to make life truly special.
It's often a personal battle, but that would be my Christmas wish this year, both for myself and for others, to be able to find that time. Figure out what your priorities are, or what you want them to be, and put forth the effort to make your time in this life worth it.
The physical gifts can be beneficial, but they will wear down or just sit on that shelf after a while. The time with people and experiences in this world are finite and can't be bought or replicated.
That's the important thing to remember as we celebrate this holiday and move on to the new year.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)