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By: Carmen Sutherland, Coffee Club Coordinator
*This article was originally published in the Family Pulse Newsletter December 2022*
As a person who celebrates Christmas, I remember the first time I didn't 'feel it.' I think I was 13 and I thought, where is the Christmas magic? Why do I not feel the buzz of excitement in my heart?
In contrast, 2022 is a 'feeling it' year for me because happen to be getting the family Christmas of my dreams. But I'm older now, so I know that it is not that simple for everyone.
First, many of our fantastic community members do not celebrate Christmas and it is probably hard for them when it seems like the world is engaged in a holiday that isn't part of their traditions. For others, Christmas is a painful time of year whether because of grief or money or any number of reasons.
I am so glad that am wiser now, so that can hold all of it -a place for all my joy, along with anyone else's feelings this time of year. Please know that I, and the team at Waterloo Region Family Network, do hold it all for you. I feel like I say this a lot in my newsletter write-ups, but just think of me as one of those holiday songs that repeats in your brain over and over (or for people who are not familiar with these, imagine the equivalent). I just want to make sure you know. *wink*