At this most wonderful time of the year, certain songs, smells, or sensations flood me with so many memories of the past. Sometimes it makes it difficult to enjoy the here and now with new memories while making merry. But these moments are what make you….you.
As kids growing up poor, the search in the woods for a Christmas tree with me and my two brothers was a major event to kick off the Christmas season. Sometimes we would search for hours for the perfect tree in the bitter cold. But cutting the tree down and dragging it back to the house where we knew our mom would have a pot of hot chocolate on the stove? That always added to a certain determination in our task.
Decorations would all be made by hand except for the one string of colored lights that got pulled out year after year along with a new 99 cent pack of silver tinsel. The crowning glory was a wooded star that was carved by our grandfather, kept in a special box in the closet that topped the newly cut tree each year.
Of course, all three boys sang in the church choir, and the annual Christmas Cantata concert always included at least one of us getting chosen by the director for a special solo or duet. These solo moments made our mother especially proud of her boys.
This Christmas will be different in my life as it will be my first after losing my sweetie of 44 years. But family and friends will fill the void as they have been doing this past year. One of my Christmas blessings.
Whatever, whoever, and wherever you spend your holiday, be thankful for all the many gifts your life has bestowed upon you. Because your gift of your memories, is what make you….you.
Merry Christmas!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's Christmas memories really capture something important about retirement: the moments that cost the least often mean the most. A lot of people worry that retirement means giving up traditions or scaling back on family gatherings, but here's the good news—many of the most meaningful holiday experiences don't require big budgets.
If you're planning for retirement in 2026, think about what traditions matter most to your family. The Social Security Administration shows that the average monthly benefit is around $1,900, and most retirees find they can maintain the simple pleasures that create lasting memories. Whether it's hosting family dinners, traveling to see grandchildren, or continuing charitable giving during the holidays, a little planning today can help preserve what's truly important.
The holidays remind us that the best parts of life aren't usually the most expensive ones. That wooden star David's grandfather carved probably brought more joy than any store-bought decoration ever could have.