ASSINIBOIA — If you have ever participated in or read up on ways to help alleviate anxiety, there are often methods that encourage using your senses ‑ to focus on something you can see, something you can smell, something you can hear and something you can feel.
The comforts of Christmas in our home come from the senses.
As a child growing up, the comforting aroma of fresh gingerbread or shortbread made me instantly feel the love of mom. She did so much fantastic baking over the years. We could enjoy these smells when we first arrived home from school or on a gloomy, snowy day outside. As soon as the aroma was evident to our noses we were sure to peek our heads into the kitchen to see if any taste testing was being allowed.
These familiar scents, many available only during the holiday season, always bring me back to memories of mom and Christmas comforts shared with family and guests.
Sadly, there were times we had to be with a family in palliative care in Saskatoon. There was a volunteer that came in and baked for that ward. Not specifically for the comfort food which baking provides, but mostly for the benefit of having the smell of fresh baking override the smell of the hospital itself.
Then there is the sense of hearing. The sound of Christmas music soothes my soul, whether it is Kenny Chesney’s country version of Away in a Manger, Boney M’s classic Mary’s Boy Child or a choir and congregation combining for heavenly hymns during Advent and Christmas services. Wherever I am when I hear or play this music, I find it immediately calming and comforting and I play it regularly in our home and our vehicles.
When it comes to something you can feel there are a variety of experiences that provide comfort. I, for one, find the warmth of a candle or fireplace most soothing. Mom always had the fireplace lit in the winter, not just for the warmth but for the comfort factor. We had a round fireplace in our family room and that is also where our tree was. It was the best feeling in the world to gather in there all warm and cozy watching a Christmas special together and smelling the aromatic pine and birch crackling in the fireplace. I don’t have a real fireplace (electric) in my home, but when I turn it on and see the faux flames and feel the warmth, I am sitting nearby and recollecting fond memories of Mom.
At Christmas, the comforts of what you can see are endless. My biggest love is Christmas lights. I love sitting with only the tree lit watching them twinkle around the ornaments. We are sure to set our tree timer so we can enjoy these calming lights both in the morning and after dusk in the evenings.
I worked with some great gals in Wilkie some years back and during a stressful computer conversion amid the usual seasonal chaos, they teased me that I would defer to looking at the “pretty lights” when I was stressed. I encouraged them to do the same. This became a running joke amongst us, although they may have had to admit, it actually worked.
Residential Christmas lights are also on my favourites list and we are sure to take in a tour or two once homes become lit up for the holidays.
Combining the comforts of Christmas that include our senses of hearing, seeing and smelling you will undoubtedly come to the comfort of feeling the warmth and joy that Christmas brings, the smile-inducing memories of Christmases with mom and the overall feeling of peace and love.
This year, I will be finding simple pleasures in the senses providing the comforts of Christmas. Miss you, Mom, as you provided a lifetime of these comforts and I will always be thankful for that.
