As I drove past a local business the other day, the twinkling lights and festive Christmas trees on display caught my attention. Not a snowflake was in sight outside, although the weather was a bit frightful.
I know it’s cliché, but it really does feel as though the Christmas season arrives sooner and sooner, each year. I’ll admit, as much as I love Christmas, and I love the first real snowfall of the year, I cringe when I see Christmas products on the shelves on Nov. 1.
I will strongly support the no-Christmas-before-Remembrance-day cause. While skimming through some social media posts the other day, I came across a discussion about why some people are so eager to put up their Christmas decorations, while others are staunchly against decorating before Nov. 11.
Some argued that because they don’t decorate or really “celebrate” Remembrance Day in the same way as Christmas, it shouldn’t matter. But, I feel like that in itself is a worrisome thought.
Although the celebrations around Remembrance Day might not be as big, bold and elaborate as Christmas, the lessons are just as huge. As the years go by, it is becoming harder and harder to find stories to share leading up to Remembrance Day. But as veterans from world wars are aging, the stories and memories should not be forgotten.
My own grandfather served in the military during World War II. I never had the opportunity to ask him questions about his time overseas, given that he passed away when I was just a year old, but even my mom says she knows very little about her father’s experience.
He didn’t talk about his time in the military very much at all, which is maybe a telling sign that whatever happened left a deep impression. My mom still keeps his military photo accessible, and my seven-year-old son is often asking questions about his great-grandpa who was a soldier.
Although we don’t have a lot of information to share with my son, the fact that he is interested and cares to know about it gives me hope. I think the schools do a great job keeping the idea of Remembrance Day alive, with a number of events taking place last week in honour of veterans and those currently serving their country.
As my son and I drove home one evening last week, he also noticed a few Christmas decorations being set up. He asked me why people were decorating for Christmas already, and truly seemed confused by the idea, since Christmas is still “two calendars away” (or in adult-terms, two months away).
If an eager seven-year-old can recognize the importance of waiting and taking a moment to remember, then I hope the rest of us can make the same effort.
