With Christmas right around the corner, I wanted to take a moment and talk about the holidays. Specifically, the argument I've seen on social media about whether you should greet people with "merry Christmas" or "happy holidays." Personally, I think it's better to go with "happy holidays" if you don't know what the person's religion is. After all, I know that Jewish and Muslim faiths have holidays around this time of the year, and you wouldn't tell someone "merry Christmas" if that person wasn't going to celebrate Christmas. That said, I don't think people should get offended if someone wishes you a "merry Christmas" even if you aren't Christian or won't be celebrating Christmas. Just wish them "happy holidays" and move on with your day. It is not worth getting upset with a stranger about it because they don't know you or your beliefs, and they are just trying to be friendly. Now if you are wearing something that proclaims that you are of another faith and you are wished a "merry Christmas," you have the right to be annoyed, but I still don't think you should make a big scene.
I know that the United States has the largest Christian population in the world but that does not mean we are a Christian nation. The first amendment of our Constitution gives American citizens freedom of religion, which means people can practice any religion they choose. Constitution does not state that the United States is a Christian nation. We may call this time of year the Christmas season because of the massive Christian population in our country or quite possibly, (and this is the cynic in me talking) because Christmas is the most marketable. However I see no reason why we should ignore other holidays by just wishing people "merry Christmas." "Happy holidays" covers all holidays that are celebrated this time of the year, including Christmas.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the time of peace, love, and good will toward others; where people should come together not push each other away. We should be kind to strangers, give to those who need a bit of charity, and tell those who are close to our hearts how much they mean to us. Be the best person you can be, especially around this time of the year.
I'm Colin and these are the ramblings of a guy in his twenties. Happy holidays everybody.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Thursday, December 17, 2015
My First Post
So this is my first post, some basic info about me is that I'm a guy in my twenties like the title of the blog says; early twenties to be exact. I'm a Pisces from Illinois, and a Liberal Arts major, so I'm going to have a tough time finding a job. I have a younger brother and three dogs. I love movies, books, music, and food of all types and genres. If you are reading this and following this expect me to talk about whatever I feel like that day. It can be anything from politics and religion to new video games and who's the hottest Bond girl. Also, don't expect me to post regularly, and each post will be of different lengths. So with that said let me talk about me what's on my mind today.
My 75-year-old grandfather on my dad's side has dementia. It's a mental illness that affects a person's memory, thinking abilities and social skills. My grandfather started to have serious problems with dementia earlier this year when his wife of nearly 56 years passed away from a stroke two days before their wedding anniversary. My grandmother's death hit my family hard because it came out of nowhere. As morbid as it may seem, we always thought my grandfather would pass first. He has had health problems, specifically with his heart, over the years, so you can understand our thinking. Honestly the idea that my grandmother would pass away before my grandfather was seen as a joke, we didn't think that situation would ever happen. However, the reality was devastating to us all because we lost our family matriarch. My grandfather became very depressed to the point where we all thought he would die from heartbreak. He's still depressed but less than he was earlier this year. We got him to sell his house in the country and move closer to town so that my family can keep a closer eye on him. We also took in the two dogs my grandparents owned because we knew my grandfather couldn't take care of them by himself.
It hasn't been easy for any of us dealing with my grandfather's dementia. My grandfather is lonely all the time, but when he is invited by his friends to go out, he often talks himself out of going with them. Whenever he calls me to come visit with him and I can't make it I feel guilty. When I head home after a visit with him I think I should have stayed longer. We have to call him every day to check to see that he took his medicine or that he has eaten. That's right, my grandfather has forgotten to eat meals. My grandfather also has a hard time wrapping his head around certain things. We got him a smartphone several months ago and my brother and I have had to show him how to work it several times. Finally, my grandfather has had problems with his short-term memory. Earlier this week, we had planned that he would come to my house and I would cook him dinner. On the day when I was having him over, we discussed that morning when I was going to pick him up. Then later in the afternoon, I get a text from my aunt, who lives about three hours away, that my grandfather is going to have dinner with friends of his, and that he needs a ride because his night vision isn't very good. He had forgotten that he was having dinner with me despite the fact we talked about it that morning. Now I know it is the disease that caused this but I wished that he told me earlier. I mean I'm glad that he was with his friends but I wished knew about the change of plans that morning from him not my aunt.
The hardest part of all of this is that I remember what kind of man my grandfather used to be. He used to have this regal presence about him. Despite coming from nothing, my grandfather became the first person in my family to go to college and he became an English professor. He worked hard to take care of his wife and two children, my dad and my aunt. He could remodel a house and fix just about anything. He treated people with kindness and fairness. He fulfilled the American dream. If I could be half the man that he was, I would be a great man. While my grandmother was alive he didn't act like an old man, but when she died, old age seemed to come over him. That's the toughest part is looking at him now and remembering him then.
If you have a member of your family that has dementia, please be patient with them. Just be there for them and make sure they know that you care.
Thanks for reading. My name is Colin and this is the Ramblings of a Guy in his Twenties.
My 75-year-old grandfather on my dad's side has dementia. It's a mental illness that affects a person's memory, thinking abilities and social skills. My grandfather started to have serious problems with dementia earlier this year when his wife of nearly 56 years passed away from a stroke two days before their wedding anniversary. My grandmother's death hit my family hard because it came out of nowhere. As morbid as it may seem, we always thought my grandfather would pass first. He has had health problems, specifically with his heart, over the years, so you can understand our thinking. Honestly the idea that my grandmother would pass away before my grandfather was seen as a joke, we didn't think that situation would ever happen. However, the reality was devastating to us all because we lost our family matriarch. My grandfather became very depressed to the point where we all thought he would die from heartbreak. He's still depressed but less than he was earlier this year. We got him to sell his house in the country and move closer to town so that my family can keep a closer eye on him. We also took in the two dogs my grandparents owned because we knew my grandfather couldn't take care of them by himself.
It hasn't been easy for any of us dealing with my grandfather's dementia. My grandfather is lonely all the time, but when he is invited by his friends to go out, he often talks himself out of going with them. Whenever he calls me to come visit with him and I can't make it I feel guilty. When I head home after a visit with him I think I should have stayed longer. We have to call him every day to check to see that he took his medicine or that he has eaten. That's right, my grandfather has forgotten to eat meals. My grandfather also has a hard time wrapping his head around certain things. We got him a smartphone several months ago and my brother and I have had to show him how to work it several times. Finally, my grandfather has had problems with his short-term memory. Earlier this week, we had planned that he would come to my house and I would cook him dinner. On the day when I was having him over, we discussed that morning when I was going to pick him up. Then later in the afternoon, I get a text from my aunt, who lives about three hours away, that my grandfather is going to have dinner with friends of his, and that he needs a ride because his night vision isn't very good. He had forgotten that he was having dinner with me despite the fact we talked about it that morning. Now I know it is the disease that caused this but I wished that he told me earlier. I mean I'm glad that he was with his friends but I wished knew about the change of plans that morning from him not my aunt.
The hardest part of all of this is that I remember what kind of man my grandfather used to be. He used to have this regal presence about him. Despite coming from nothing, my grandfather became the first person in my family to go to college and he became an English professor. He worked hard to take care of his wife and two children, my dad and my aunt. He could remodel a house and fix just about anything. He treated people with kindness and fairness. He fulfilled the American dream. If I could be half the man that he was, I would be a great man. While my grandmother was alive he didn't act like an old man, but when she died, old age seemed to come over him. That's the toughest part is looking at him now and remembering him then.
If you have a member of your family that has dementia, please be patient with them. Just be there for them and make sure they know that you care.
Thanks for reading. My name is Colin and this is the Ramblings of a Guy in his Twenties.
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