Grief & healing: Ready for Christmas

Tree is up. Roast in refrigerator waiting to be roasted. Plan to pick up a pie for dessert. I have heard from some that the gifts I mailed are arriving on time.

I am still wrapping a few gifts for under the tree here, but otherwise I am pretty much prepared for Christmas. I still have to wrap some for my kitties, who always get new toys under the tree.

Of course my preparations these days are fairly simple compared to years past. They mainly consist of mailing lots of boxes and gifts to family and friends who live far away.

I still cook a big Christmas dinner, even if only for myself and the kitties! So I’ve gotten the supplies for that.

This year my menu is a beautiful standing prime rib roast, new potatoes with gravy from the roast, asparagus and corn. And pecan pie, which I usually make myself, but this year is coming from the local Jewel bakery.

And I always put a couple small gifts under the tree for my dear Baheej who loved Christmas celebrations. Usually it’s little animal figurines for his bookcase “zoo” collection in his home office. And I put a small decorated tree on his desk. It’s the time of year for joy, family, friends and delicious meals. Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day this year.

So whatever your traditions, wishing you joy this time of year. Have a Merry Christmas and happy holiday!

• Susan Anderson-Khleif of Sleepy Hollow has a doctorate in family sociology from Harvard, taught at Wellesley College and is a retired Motorola executive. Contact her at sakhleif@aol.com.