The daily writing prompt asks – How do you celebrate holidays?

I’m finally with most people in that I’m off now to celebrate holidays. I used to work a great number of them. I noted this in my answer to the same question last year in a post called – Celebrate

So, I’ll add the following thoughts to that post and answer the question more directly this year.

I celebrate differently for different holidays. A common thread is family on holidays. Be it the family feast at Thanksgiving or a BBQ on the 4th of July.

Memorial Day is one that celebration isn’t part of it. It’s a difficult time surrounded by the loss of loved ones and honoring the fallen.

My Christmas spirit had dimmed for a bit but when the grandchildren started coming along, it became very special again.

Thanksgiving is nice because it’s the family but not the pressure of the Xmas holiday.

The last few years I’ve seen the New Year in with my better half, and it’s been great. Each one now is more special it seems.

I always kick back on Labor Day weekend. I figured I labored long and hard for decades and I earned the relaxation. Sadly, it also marks the end of the summer season but occasionally we do get those Indian summers in the Mid-Atlantic and the beaches are far less crowded in the offseason.

Good Food, Love, Sharing, Laughter, Reconnecting by Disconnecting. That’s how I’d like to spend all holidays.

See how others celebrate here

How do you celebrate holidays? – Interesting question from the daily writing prompt.

The quick answer is I celebrate holidays with joy and abandon now. This is the first year I’ve enjoyed them in decades. Having worked them for so long it’s a real treat now to have that time and not night shifts of work bookending the day.

I hated working holidays. I tried to put on a fun face with the family/friends but I resented working so much it always left me frustrated that I couldn’t have the same enjoyment as others. Most of the time it just meant that I would miss a day of sleep. Maybe an hour or two nap, but mostly up all day and night.

Also, there was little to no appreciation for those who worked the holidays. The bosses who would say thank you once in a while for covering holidays were few and far between. Those are the people you remember. Thank you, Linda, Joe, and Mike.

Holidays now I get to soak in our children and our grandchildren. I get to exhaust my energy during the day with people and then rest. I get to enjoy the meals and laughter. I’m relaxed, happy, and content.

I get to appreciate the true meaning of each holiday again and savor the time.

Reminder – There are many professions where holiday work is part of the job. One that many of us take for granted too often. Maybe take a moment to thank someone if they assist you on a holiday.

Other responses to this question.