I am not ashamed to say that I’m in a bit of a funk lately. Sometimes it seems like a lot of tough stuff comes down all at once, while other times we just seem to breeze through life. I have definitely not been doing a lot of that “breezing through” thing lately. But I rallied today and got myself and the kids off-Island to go to a family Christmas party with my dad’s side of the family in Braintree, and it was good medicine! I’ll tell you, when you’re feeling down and out, if you can find a way to surround yourself with love, whether it’s with family, friends, or even pets, do it! It may not be a cure-all, but it sure helps.
Happy birthday wishes go out to Ellie Parece, who celebrated on Dec. 4.
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury will be conducting Wednesday evening contemplative services at 5:30 on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. Please join them in their sanctuary to embrace the darkness and move into the light of Christmas. The Dec. 7 service focused on “Longing and Preparing”; the Dec. 14 service will focus on “Waiting and Hoping,” and the Dec. 21 service will focus on “Healing and Transforming.” Please call 508-693-2842 with questions.
The Friends of the Edgartown Library will be selling autographed copies of Margot Datz’s book, “Nighttide on a Vineyard Farm,” Saturday at the Crafts Fair at the school. The proceeds will help fund a marine life mural which Margot will paint in the Children’s Room. The Friends will also sell their “History of the Library” and book bags to benefit programs. All make perfect gifts! Both books and bags are also available at the library.
Tired of listening to everyone else singing? Perhaps it is time for you to do some singing yourself. If so, join members of the Federated Church Choir for a carol sing at the Federated Church on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 2 until 3 pm, as part of the Christmas in Edgartown festivities. This is a free event, open to all ages. Peter R. Boak, minister of music, will accompany the singers on piano. Music is provided. Following the singing, please stay to have a few cookies and cider before you head out for your next adventure. If you have any questions, please call 508-627- 4421, email them at admin@federatedchurchmv.org, or visit the “Events” section of their website, federatedchurchmv.org.
Grandparents who find themselves raising their grandchildren don’t have to go it alone. Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Family Center and the Island Wide Youth Collaborative are co-hosting a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) group. Information about trends and issues facing grandparents raising grandchildren is shared over coffee and discussion. The group takes place the second Saturday of every month from 10 to 11:30 am at the Martha’s Vineyard Family Center, located at 35 Greenwood Avenue in Vineyard Haven. This is a free group.
The Island Wide Youth Collaborative, in conjunction with MVCS Family Center, Disability Services, and the Youth Task Force, presents three free parents’ intensive workshops with anxiety expert Lynn Lyons. “Stepping Out of the Worry Cycle and What to Do When Anxiety Shows Up” is an interactive parent-child workshop for parents, caregivers, and children ages 8 to 17. It is on Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 6 until 8 pm at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) library. To register, visit mvcommunityservices.com/lyons.
The second event, “The Traps of Worried Parenting and What to Do Instead,” is for parents and caregivers of children up to 8 years old, on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the MVRHS library. Call 508-687-9182 to register.
Last, there is a follow-up discussion with Lynn Lyons for parents and caregivers who participated in the 2015 workshop on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 12 to 2 pm at the MVRHS Culinary Arts dining room. To register, visit mvcommunityservices.com/lyons.
There will be lots of festivities this weekend for the annual Christmas in Edgartown weekend! The annual Holiday Craft Fair will be in the Edgartown School gym. The eighth grade class will be selling food and drinks in the school “link,” while local artisans sell their work in the gym. I always find some wonderful gifts and treats for family and friends, and it’s a great way to support the eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C. For other details of weekend events, you can visit the Edgartown Board of Trade’s Christmas in Edgartown website at bit.ly/christmasinedgartown.
This is the time of year that we can start to panic and fret about the holiday. Will we get the perfect gift? Will we have the perfect celebration? Will we make picture-perfect memories? Can we pay the bills? It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the commercialism and craziness of the season, instead of the peace and love that we would maybe be better off focusing on. We may not get it right. It may not be perfect. Our lives may not perfectly align with a Norman Rockwell painting. But that’s OK. Love one another. Bake together. Have a cup of tea with a friend. Talk to others. Smile and wish others a merry Christmas or happy holiday or happy Hanukkah, or a simple “Hi, how are you?” Care for one another. Spread kindness. And toss joy around like confetti. Ultimately, that’s really what it’s all about anyway.
Have a great week.