Celebration

“While reflecting on some of the major celebrations in my life, I realize that some of the simplest gestures of celebration were the most meaningful.”

This month, I felt very celebrated. For my birthday, I was surprised with a trip to visit the home of one of my favorite authors, Henry David Thoreau. During that trip to Concord and Walden Pond, we went to a museum that celebrated the contributions of Thoreau. He saw purpose in what most people consider mundane, and that is one of the things I appreciate most about his work. I thoroughly appreciate that he celebrated simplicity.

While reflecting on some of the major celebrations in my life, I realize that some of the simplest gestures of celebration were the most meaningful.  My mom used to put “Welcome Home” signs on our door or on our beds after we came back from time away.  My dad used to send balloons to our school for our birthday when we were in Jr. High and High School. Both of these gestures made me feel thought of and cared for and loved.  

On a weekly basis growing up, we also celebrated Sabbaths by having family time together to sing and retell Bible stories or going to Vespers (a gathering event at the church or beach) on Friday night. In the morning, we looked forward to having what my sister and I still affectionately call “Sabbath cereal” (we only had sugar cereals once a week on Sabbath). 

There were also times when just having friends and family over to spend time together felt like a celebration, even though it was not during a particular holiday or special occasion. People would come to our house and play games while we enjoyed snacks or a meal together.  I guess we simply celebrated being together, and that was enough. 

I also recall times when I stressed out so much over trying to create a celebratory experience that I missed the whole reason that I was celebrating in the first place.  Either the cake had to be perfect, the house had to be spotless, or the decorations needed to invade every crevice of the house.  If I didn’t have everything “just right,” I felt like I failed whoever or whatever I was celebrating. 

It is important to put energy into celebrating moments in our lives. It might be useful to ask how we can keep the meaning without the mayhem. As the holidays approach, I wonder how we can all keep each celebration simple and significant.