The Editor’s Desk

A Tale Of Two Holiday Seasons

By Dean Blinkhorn [dean@ocalasgoodlife.com]

The holidays are always a magical time. Need evidence? Look at the Plan Ahead section in the pages to come of this very magazine and you’ll see more holiday events than you’ll have time to check out. (I should know. I’ve tried!) Yes, the holidays in Central Florida are still magical, even without the significant temperature change.

First of all, there are the traditions of decorating, both single-family homes that go all out with lights to large-scale events like the city’s signature Light Up Ocala with more than 100,000 bulbs to be plugged in.

Then there are the favorite holiday concerts and shows. One of my favorite events is the free holiday show presented by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra on its outdoor stage, an evening that’s a musical gift to the people of Ocala.

And, of course, the holiday season has a full slate of movies, both classic and not so. My family has to see “Elf” and “It’s A Wonderful Life” every year, but yours might insist on “Home Alone” or “Die Hard,” yes, the violent action film— and its sequel—that takes place during the holidays.

Lastly, get-togethers with friends and family dot our calendars and allow for some memorable catching up and exchanging of gifts. Some are mercifully short, and others allow us to see someone dear we haven’t been with often enough throughout the rest of the year. For me, that’s my nieces and nephews who seem to grow like weeds and who always have such fun stories from school.

And then—voila!—it’s a brand-new year and everyone’s on a diet!

BUT FOR SOME PEOPLE, the holidays are a real struggle.

Why put out an attic full of decorations and string Christmas lights on the perimeter of the house when no one will be around to see them?

Why go to concerts that are hard to get to or that are different from the ones you enjoyed growing up? Maybe they're louder or more expensive than you remember.

Why go to movies that seem different from the ones you enjoyed as kids? Maybe you don't recognize the popular actors anymore or maybe the plot and dialogue is coarser than your favorites.

Maybe get-togethers aren't as much fun because they don't have the same familiar faces or they remind you of loved ones lost along the way.

If any of these things sound familiar, maybe the holidays for you go by achingly slow and you don’t count down the hours to New Year’s Eve on Times Square as much as the second when everything goes back to normal.

Yes, enjoying the holidays can be a matter of perspective. If the beginning scenario rings true, then enjoy every second. If the latter part feels closer to home, then try to flip the switch a bit. Volunteer with a favorite charity that probably really needs your manpower right now (like Interfaith or Marion Senior Services), or reach out to a group that can help you (United Way of Marion County would probably be good on both counts).

So whichever scenario you find yourself in this year, which has been a challenging one for many, try to take care of yourself as we finish 2021. After all, the holidays should be merry for everyone, even you!

All the best, Dean

WANT (OR NEED) HELP? marionseniorservices.org iesmarion.org uwmc.org

Everyone who knows me well is aware that I love music of all kinds, so...

What’s Dean Playing?

(Christmas Edition)

Kelly Clarkson, “When Christmas Comes Around”—Following a best-selling 2013 Christmas album, this new, 15-track set features a number of superstar duets and newly penned songs. Be sure to check out “Glow” with Chris Stapleton and “Christmas Isn’t Cancelled (Just You),” the lead single.