The family calendar - redux

My niece's husband and my great-nephew get a month on the 2022 calendar 

I was ready to write a post about creating the family calendar. Then I discovered I had already done so:

I've spent some time this week putting together the family calendar - something I've done now since about 2004. Originally I created it in a calendar program and then printed it at a Kinkos on cardstock, but I now use Shutterfly. I've kept the same content formula - "scanned photos of long-gone relatives and baby pictures of my siblings and I are mixed with digital photos from family events from the past year.”

Creating a calendar is a powerful form of reflection for me. The end of the year, familiar gatherings, new children and friends, and the loss of people who may have been a long part of my life, all put me in a bittersweet mood. We cannot, of course, stop the world from turning and would not want it to stop revolving even if we could. As much as I loved my children and grandchildren as babies, I love them even more now as adults and fast growing children and adolescents. Some old and treasured traditions continued; some became impractical; and new ones were forged.

I expect Christmas 2016 will not be dissimilar because not only do those around us change, but we ourselves do as well: becoming wiser or more foolish, healthier or less abled, more giving or more selfish, and braver or more fearful. Opportunities will arise, as will disappointments. Most years I am lucky enough to find a book or take a trip that impacts my life and thinking in a very substantial, personal, permanent way. And I am happy for that. Calendar creation - a time for reflection, Blue Skunk, 12-19-15.

Perhaps the world of 2021 has not really been as different as I might have thought. Fewer family get-togethers, of course. Less travel than desired (but some still). More free time. But as I predicted back in 2015, there were both opportunities and disappointments; good books and good trips; continued relationships with friends and relatives; no deaths or serious illnesses in the family. Both my grandsons are now old enough to drive and are aging out of Scouting. My son and his wife are now home owners. My house has new siding and freshly painted woodwork and doors.

The family calendar this year, I hope, fills the same purpose that it always has - to give my family members pleasant reminders of the previous year. My niece's growing family, my grandson’s marching band experiences, and a “who’s who” of cats in the family are among this year’s monthl.

I suspect in a few years, I will dig this calendar out, take a look, and think, “Maybe 2021 wasn’t all that bad a year after all.” And helps me reflect on how truly blessed I am…

Comments

[Sandra]

I’ve been doing a calendar for my family about as long as you. This year’s theme is Christmas through the years. I included a baby picture of everyone except for my 98 year old Dad. I did have one of him as a young child. I ditto all your thoughts in your posts. You expressed my thoughts so well. Joy, reflection, laughter and thanks makes this a labor of love for me. Merry Christmas!
Sandra McLeroy
Texas

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Sandra,

So nice to hear from you! Been awhile.

I suspect many folks are calendar makers - at least those lucky enough to have good families. I did a month of photos of family members when they were babies once too. Not sure what the grandkids made of this, other than knowing even old people were once children too.

Take care and have a happy holiday season!

Doug