LETTER to the editor

Just a thought

As the life and times of former President George H. W. Bush were memorialized after his death, one picture stands out. His family gathered on the lawn to celebrate Barbara’s 90th birthday — children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren — all smiling, because they are together for a special family event. Travel statistics during the holiday season show how willingly people sacrifice time and treasure to spend precious moments with their loved ones. Facebook photos are abundant with pictures of smiling faces, meals together, and love shared.

Perusing family photos, especially those of ancestors, trigger thought-provoking images. First, there are the young couple, then the children (lots of them in the old days), then spouses and grandchildren until the point where the original couple is surrounded by hordes of descendants. Such is the case of the 41st president.

In modern America, however, family photos may be quite different. The group may be smaller. Some families are blended, while others have members who are not bound by blood but united through love. Maybe photos don’t even exist for families that are too broken to cross the divide of shattered relationships or conflicts too intense to reach a truce, even for a brief time, to celebrate together. Sometimes wounds remain so deep that being in the same room or house or city is inconceivable. Holidays can mean loneliness and sadness as well.

Perhaps this is the year to find true peace and share it with others. Reflect on keeping loved ones close, and focus on kindness toward all. The fragility of life and the tragedies played out daily in the world ought to spur change in our behaviors and perspectives. Too often a child may leave for school in the morning never to return. Overdoses, suicide and gunshots stop the hearts of family members, not to mention accidents and medical emergencies that change lives forever.

Sharing joy and laughter, patience and understanding, forgiveness and, most of all, love are the threads that bind people together and offer hope of a better tomorrow. Act now while there is still time.

Francy Chammings, Carlton