December — A Time for Celebration, Reflection, and Optimism

December — A Time for Celebration, Reflection, and Optimism

I love the holiday season- the food, the events, the lights, and of course, family and friends. It is a joyous time of year for many, and no matter your beliefs it can be an opportunity to spend time with your loved ones.

It’s a chance to be thankful for our blessings and hopeful for the coming year. Many people get into the holiday spirit with hot meals and blazing fires, and by giving back to the community.

There are times throughout the year when political, cultural, and religious differences divide us, but truly this is a time of year when we should put aside our differences and come together in a sense of peace and joy.

No matter your background or beliefs, loved ones are often the center of our lives and one of the gifts we all share. Spending time with family and friends is something no one should take for granted, and must be cherished and appreciated. Often we forget our blessings as we struggle with our curses, but no matter the stress we feel, there is always something to be thankful for.

It’s important to remember those among us who are currently separated from their family and waiting to find out when they can be re-united with them. This could be for many reasons from families separating for work, to family members being stationed abroad, to families waiting in the long immigration backlog to be reunited here in Canada.

With the introduction of a two-year moratorium on sponsoring parents and grandparents, it may be more difficult for individuals to be reunited with their family.
Because of this moratorium, many of us will be waiting an additional two years before we are even able to apply to sponsor our parents and grandparents. That’s if the moratorium is ever lifted! While this government has introduced a new “Super-Visa”, financial limitations may prevent some families from purchasing the requisite medical insurance and paying for the other requirements of this visa.

I am lucky enough to have had my grandparents come to Canada from Sri Lanka, and I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to spend time with them. However, not everyone will get this opportunity.

Providing assistance for individuals in need and the less fortunate is not only important during the holiday season, it is something we should be mindful of all year round. Those of us who are blessed must be thankful, grateful and giving, and not lose sight of what’s important in life. Uncertain economic conditions mean that many people have fallen on hard times and the holiday season can be stressful for these individuals. As a community, there are many ways in which we can support those in need, whether it be supporting the many community organizations that are collecting gift donations or donating your time in other ways. These efforts can inspire us and to give back however we are able and maintain the holiday spirit all year round.

And when we do have doubt, I remind you of the words of the late Jack Layton, “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”

The holidays are a time of year for positivity, cheerfulness and love. I wish you nothing but the best for this holiday season and the coming year.
Happy holidays everyone.

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Rathika Sitsabaiesan (MP, Scarborough-Rouge River)