The classic carol “Deck the Halls starts with “’Tis the season to be jolly,” a phrase heard during the winter drawing attention to what’s known as the holiday season; its association with the winter holidays, rather than any other season, comes from its use in the popular carol “Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly” in the line “’Tis the season to be Jolly.”
Though the song is based on a centuries-old Welsh tune, the phrase didn’t start appearing in newspapers and magazines in America until the 1970s. Now this phrase is commonplace. The definition of jolly is someone happy or cheerful, or someone or something that is lively and entertaining.
Not everyone is jolly at this time of the year as the holidays can be particularly isolating for some people. Many experience feelings of loneliness and sadness, particularly people who do not have family connections and people who anticipate their family time with high hopes and then have them shattered when things don’t work out so well at the holidays.
This is also a particularly challenging time for veterans who are serving and protecting our country. During the holiday season, there are many ways to help our veterans through what may be challenging times and assist those veterans who may not have family to be with.
You can help veterans who serve, honor and protect by volunteering your time, donating items, or simply by making a cash contribution to a worthy cause. There are many ways you can reach out and make a difference in the life of a veteran this holiday season.
You can Google search for organizations that send cards, send care packages and contact veterans that are deployed overseas. Also look for organizations that help the veteran’s that are local by programs meant to support them.
WHAM Art Association is one such organization that supports and helps veterans by offering free art classes and meals twice a month. We’re in our fifth year providing “Art: A Path To Healing” on second Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each month at our WHAM facility, 16560 N. Dysart Road, Surprise.
WHAM expanded this program almost two years ago to host it with a free meal 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on third Thursdays at the Peoria Old Town Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson St., Peoria.
If you’d like donate to help support our programs for veterans, please visit the WHAM website at wham-art.org. Any amount is appreciated.
Most of all, be joyful for your health, wealth and well-being by smiling each day. A smile is unique. This may be the most difficult thing for some of you to do, but think about if you smile and then think of a good reason to be smiling, you’ll receive more than the smile you gave.
It will help reduce your stress level and possibly help to be Jolly and truly believe “Tis the Season to be Jolly”.
Connie Whitlock is executive director of the WHAM Art Association. Visit wham-art.org.
