Note from the Editor: One Day You’ll See How Far We’ve Come
From the Editor:
As positive as I try to remain, I have never seen myself as a optimist. Sometimes things aren’t positive - and they should be recognized. I promote the good as often as I can because it is happening out there, but sometimes we have to recognize the bad, because it’s also happening.
As I speak to more and more members of my own community - colleagues, family members, friends - I find that the idea of recognizing those negative points in our lives and validating the feelings that come with them is overlooked, especially on holidays. We wish people a happy holiday - a merry Christmas - and sometimes we never accept that there is another option (although “have a mediocre Christmas” doesn’t have that same ring to it, I guess).
I am all for starting off in a positive space - to give a chance for good to show itself. However validation of frustration or fear, just like excitement and happiness, is important in allowing us to move forward on a steady plane rather than a roller coaster of highs and lows.
This week has been a rollercoaster for our community. Vacations have been cancelled, family members isolated to their rooms, and past year’s worries and fears found themselves back in our minds. Lines for testing are no longer a moment in history, and everyone knows at least a handful of their friends and family who have officially celebrated the COVID Christmas 2021. We can say Merry Christmas all we want, but some of these things don’t fall under that category. And it’s okay not to be merry. It’s also okay to be merry, then angry, then jolly, then sad - all while eating a pint of peppermint ice cream (fine, a quart.)
In between spoonfuls, pause to recognize all that’s happened around you. In the midst of what will forever be known as COVID Christmas 2021, many families are finding a new closeness and coziness as they celebrate with less people at their table, new traditions as they remain in their own home, and more joy in the little things in their lives that would ordinarily pale in comparison to the usual trip to Turks or skiing the Swiss Alps.
Sometimes traditions are born out of necessity in a time when all else might not be possible - and they continue to remind us of how far we’ve come, year after year.
One day - you’ll be able to see how far we’ve come.
I hope that as you go into this last week of 2021, you can recognize all of the good that happened to you this year - while also taking the time to recognize the bad. The goal is to pause long enough to read your story that’s being written out as time marches on, not change the words or edit for brevity. Sometimes our stories will have long, frustration chapters. Read them and grow with them.
As I sit here, Christmas coming to an end, I can’t tell all of you to be merry and jolly today - because for some of you that’s not in the cards. And that’s okay.
What I can tell you is that your community remains underneath you for when your rollercoaster begins that uphill climb towards better moments and experiences - for when your story starts its new chapter.
I wish you the best in whatever you find yourself doing today - whether it be lounging on a distant beach, skiing down a northern mountain, or sitting on your couch in sweatpants while your family remains locked in their rooms (quarantining or just because).
If you have empty chairs around your table this year - may the memories of those who filled those chairs be blessings, and their voices always be remembered when everyone can be together once again.
And if you’re celebrating: Merry Christmas. My brothers, my mom, and I are home today without our extended family crammed around the multiple tables stretched into the living room - a typical Italian Christmas all but cancelled as COVID trudges on, family moves away, and everyone gets older.
It’s hard, but it’s reality.
There was Facetiming, texting, calling; we found out my cousin proposed to his girlfriend in the group chat.
Ups and downs. Highs and lows. We’re getting there, wherever “there” may be.
In partnership,
Jaime Bairaktaris
Executive Editor & Founder
South Beach Sunset through the Trees
One of South Beach’s quintessential sunsets as seen from the end of boardwalk. Photo by JD Dworkow for WestportLocal.com
Meals and Toys Delivered to Children’s Hospital at Montefiore as Al’s Angels Spread Cheer throughout Region
Staples Freshman Will Dransfield helps unload 150 meal bins and hundreds of toys at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore early this morning in the Bronx, New York. WestportLocal.com photo (click to read more) 150 meal bins remain ready for families at Montefiore Children’s HospitalFor over two decades, thousands of families have been able to enjoy a holiday meal thanks to the donations and volunteers of Al’s Angels. The Westport-based charity supports children and families suffering from financial hardship, cancer, or bloodborne diseases throughout Connecticut and New York with resources, fundraisers, and other community events.
The meal bins contain dozens of quintessential food items that will allow a family to enjoy the holiday together as the bins are delivered before both Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays - taking one more chore off of their plate during turbulent times.
The 150 bins that were delivered to the Bronx, NY children’s hospital are just some of nearly 1,300 bins that were assembled and delivered today. Hundreds stepped up to help fill and deliver the boxes, some arriving to the Al’s Angels workshop even before sunrise to get the task done.
As the season continues, Al’s Angels continues another mission: an annual toy drive that collects nearly 10,000 new toys for children hospitalized or suffering from poverty during the season. Large supplies of those toys were also delivered to Montefiore with the meal bins today - bringing some holiday cheer to the nearly 200 children spending the season in their wards.
Hundreds Attend Wakeman Town Farm Tree Lighting
Wakeman Town Farm which has become a Mecca for Westport families held their annual Christmas Tree lighting event Friday night kicking off the Holiday Season with a crowd estimated at 800 or more over the course of the evening. Families enjoyed the Christmas tree and decorated grounds, sweet treats from The Porch and Sweet P Bakery, and hot chocolate from The Granola Bar and Starbucks. Also, a variety of local school musicians playing Christmas and Chanukah favorites.. Children played among several lighted trees and brought their parents to the bonfire to warm up and toast marshmallows.
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
