megram - Index

megram - 55NovOttawa - Index

Remembering
“Where have all the flowers
gone?” That line from the musical
group Peter, Paul and Mary, if examined
closely,is really about a life cycle.
The circle of life well lived, no matter
how short, deserves to be honoured
and recognized.A date to not forget is
11 November, Remembrance Day. If
you have never attended the War
Memorial ceremony, this might be
your year to do so.
Be sure to dress warmly and don’t
forget your umbrella.That day always
seems to hold gloomy weather, but if
you go prepared you can relax and
focus your attention on the significance
of the occasion.
It is really quite moving and
brings to us a realization that we are
free because of great sacrifice. It is
very interesting to see the waves of
uniforms and to look at all the faces
and try to imagine what they have
actually seen that remains unspoken.
Being there is not only good for
us individually from the standpoint of
being active physically but is also a
social activity of great importance to
the veterans who come out to pay
respect to those men and women
who have given us their service and,
in many cases, their very lives. Going
out to show our thanks is something
that gives a warm inner feeling,
regardless of the weather.
Here comes Santa Claus
We segue from the War Memorial
to streets filled with holiday decorations.
It’s that time again. It’s helpful if
you have prepared a list of the persons’
names you need gifts for, along
with gift ideas as well as the price
range. It’s when you are not really
looking for something that you usually
find it.
I know it’s easier said than done,
but planning ahead for the holiday
season does make life more enjoyable
for most people. Some, who have no
worries financially, love to wait until
the very last days before Christmas
and then immerse themselves in the
crowds, the music, and the hustle and
bustle of last-minute shopping.But for
most of us, a planned approach is
best. By knowing what we want and
what we are prepared to spend, we
can proceed in an orderly way —
much more relaxed and cheerful.
Remember that stress is a contributing
factor in over 80 per cent of all illnesses,
so minimizing stress is very
important to our well-being.
Hosting and decorating
This could be the time to do
some great party planning. If you like
to bake and cook now is your chance
— but if you don’t, how about checking
out some of the takeout places
that are so good? One sometimes
wonders why time and energy are
spent doing what can be purchased
when you could be doing something
else much preferred.
Decorating can be a lot of fun too
— reminiscing as you bring out of
storage all the decorations from the
past or starting a new trend with a
whole new look. Depending on the
space you have available, you might
be decorating on a smaller scale.
However you do it, put your heart
into it and you may be surprised at
what will happen.
Is there a party coming up?
Do you remember those Christmas
lyrics “silver and gold decorations, on
ev’ry Christmas tree?”This is a time to
bring out the sparkles, those glitzy outfits
that help celebrate the festive season
— and men don’t forget that special
tie!
This year my Dad will celebrate
his 100th birthday. It falls on
December 21 and there will be a special
party in his honour hosted by his
family, in cooperation with the
Municipal Council of Low, which will
be paying him a tribute for 17 years of
service on council — 13 of them as
Mayor. Everyone is welcome to this
afternoon party in the Heritage Hall in
November/December 2008 • Ottawa 35 • Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
Low, Quebec.
I hope there will be other parties
in my holiday season and I hope there
are many in yours.Happy holiday!
Teresa McCarthy is an image consultant
certified by the Association of
Image Consultants International
and the Director of Canadian
Operations for Pivotal Impressions.
She is the founding partner of Image
Solutions Group.
Teresa’s Tips
Check out the appropriate
clothing for each event you
have planned for the holiday
season. Don’t leave the dry
cleaning and shopping till the
last week.
Women and men, your trip
to the beauty shop to spruce
up your look is a great investment
of time and money.
Schedule well in advance this
time of year.
If sending out cards is one
of your traditions, and if somehow
you don’t get them out in
time for the holidays, not to
worry — a card between
Christmas and New Years is still
much appreciated.
Don’t place so much importance
on that diet you’ve been
following. Indulge a little, have
fun — you can always get back
on track later.
Being as organized and
rested as possible will allow
you to take time this holiday
season to reflect on the past
year. Be thankful for all good
things, no matter how small,
because it really is the little
things that count.