Holiday Memories of Music by Liz Arrington
t’s that time of year again! All the spookiness and fun of Halloween has passed, and we are settling into the final months of the year. It’s that time of year when we are inclined to reflect on meaningful connections and relationships with our loved ones and our community. Nostalgia for days gone by, measured by a hopefulness for better days ahead. This especially rings true right now, with so many of us still reeling from the chaos and confusion of the past few years. So many of us have experienced indescribable loss and disenchantment, unexpected joys and major obstacles. Some have overcome, some are still lingering in the darkness, and most of us are experiencing a combination of both.
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During periods such as this, it seems appropriate to fall back into the comfort and familiarity of the simple joys of the season. For my family and I- that includes a lot of time cuddled up on the couch together, mugs full of hot chocolate and giant bowls of popcorn. Watching our favorite holiday movies and soaking in familiar sounds of the season. 18 December 2021 | January 2022
Timeless holiday movies are an integral part of how we celebrate and observe the holiday season. Conflict and drama surrounds familiar characters as they navigate ghosts of past, present and future, or try to “save” Christmas in some way. All the while learning important lessons about community and family, peace and love. Whether the story takes place in the past or modern times, common themes unfold to leave our protagonists brimming with the true spirit of Christmas by the end of the movie, surrounded by loved ones. And, more often than not, they are all SINGING! This is the part of the movies that I have always loved the most. Bonus points if this final song involves our characters gathered around a piano singing together in harmony. There is just something so powerful and connecting about a group of people singing together, something that brings us all together across time and space. I am so thrilled to be returning to a world where music can be experienced together again. A parenting rite of passage includes squeezing into
