’Tis the Season
Posted on Nov 30, 2021 by Rob Garza
’Tis the season it is. This year, I felt, went faster than last year. I definitely had more things that needed to be done outside the house, as well as more visits to my mom’s house and a high school senior that had senior stuff going on even after school was out to prepare for her senior year.
The things that I noticed that changed this year, just from these last few months, were the changes of daily living and how more aware of our surroundings we have become. I feel we all have more patience with each other, where we go and who we meet, and the time we spend with our families is more meaningful. Life seems to be more valuable, not only because of 2020 but the time we DIDN'T go anywhere and then we were able to.
One of my favorite shows last year was Alone on the History channel. Ten people get dropped off in different places in an area and are only able to bring 10 items to survive, with the person who lasts the longest winning $1 million. Though the winning amount has changed through the years, the struggle each one went through is why I watched it.
Each person, no matter how long they lasted, was greeted by their family and loved ones. After season three, I could tell you who was going to go next. Missing their kids, wives, and husbands is what got the best of them. The struggles each one went through — building a shelter, making fire, finding food … the list would be never ending of struggles of staying alive and alone and would slowly chisel away at each one of them until there was one.
Focus is what each winner had. Though they went through the same struggles as everyone else, they persevered. That made the ending the best. They brought their wives, husbands, or a loved one to let them know they won. The pouring out of emotions for the winner, as well as myself, was emotional. Love is so powerful.
That brings it back to the beginning of how this year went. There were struggles, plenty of challenges for all of us. Patience is a virtue and was tested many times throughout the year. We all went through the same thing and we all have changed in one way or another, but it made us closer to our loved ones and what matters most to each of us.
I didn’t want it to end like that; though meaningful, I wanted a more uplifting closing for my last Staff Trax for the year. Let’s get back to “ ’tis the season.” Where did that phrase come from? Well, it was made famous by Mark Twain in the books he wrote. The phrase ’tis the season is believed to originate from the Christmas carol “Deck the Halls.” It refers to the time around the holidays — specifically Christmas. The phrase was typically used to signify that it’s a good time to complete activities associated with Christmas and the holiday time period.
I wish everyone a joyful and love-filled holiday season. And I hope everyone has a great new year.
Rob Garza
Salem custodian and certified personal trainer at DROM Fitness