Sharing the Holidays with family is often fraught with petty disagreements, dramas, or fights at the dinner table. 

But with Covid, we are experiencing increased challenges of physically connecting with our families and friends. Ironically, in many cases, physical separation is actually serving to improve the intimacy level in families. The stress caused by traveling and scheduling is being replaced by heart-to-heart family zoom calls. The lack of ability to travel in person to see one’s family is creating an appreciation for what was once taken for granted.

As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.” 

Our bonds with our loved ones now reflect a newfound appreciation that they are healthy and cared about. These bonds have grown stronger during this Global health challenge that’s cross-culturally affecting everyone in unusual ways. Of course, nothing replaces the personal or kinesthetic connection that we all miss and long for.  This is especially true during the holiday season. A grandmothers touch of her new granddaughter or a hug between a parent and grandparent or grandchild and grandparent has suddenly become very precious. 

Ultimately, we’re all connected in many ways deeper than just the day-to-day phone call or family visitation that tends to happen around the holiday season more than any other time of year. Energetically we’re always connected whether it’s visualverbal, or physical. Luckily in the 21st-century, technology is filling in the gap. Technology is making instant connections possible or even video chats on any smartphone. The fastest-growing company on Earth is now Zoom who is filling in the gap when physical contact is not possible. 

You could say technology is bridging the distance between relatives and families who can now connect from afar! 

Luckily love and appreciation will replace dysfunctional dramas or petty fights during the 2020 Holidays.

The once-dreaded dramas that seemed to rear their head during family dinners will be rarer this year.

 I can remember the olden days when a holiday fight at the dinner table made somebody’s blood boil even if it was the discussion of events that happened eons ago.

These are but a few of the unintended consequences—hidden as a gift—within the confines of a global health challenge.

Who would think appreciation and care plus a deeper sense of love and connection would manifest during a global health crisis? Amazingly nothing is now being taken for granted. Whatever you celebrate at the closing of 2020 take time to stop, reflect, and show great care.

These are the gifts that keep on giving long after the holiday meal or season has departed.  

Sincerely Gary Stuart