Gearing up for a different holiday season and finding inner peace in 2022
The 2020 Christmas holiday season was unlike any other . Not only was the world battling the COVID-19 pandemic and economic woes , people were having to make major adjustments to their holiday plans — particularly gift shopping and gatherings .
Thankfully , things are different this year . Vaccines are available for COVID- 19 and the economy has improved . And while the pandemic is still very much present ( at this writing on Nov . 22 , the Mississippi Department of Health reported 1,187 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths ), a number people are eager to take advantage of Black Friday sales at local stores and gearing up for gatherings at home or venues .
As for me and my house … NAH , we ’ re taking a raincheck to next year — possibly . In recent years , I have enjoyed my Christmas holidays with family and friends in Madison and Jackson . A recent conversation with my cousin Roderick affirmed my plan to stay home and spend the holidays with my cats Bebe and Zeta .
During that conversation ( which was a video chat ), I also spoke to his son , Brandon , about what he wanted me to get for him this Christmas : Brandon : Money ! Me : No ! I ’ m not just handing you money . Would you like a game for your ( Nintendo ) Switch ?
Brandon : ( Looks up as if the answer is someone on the ceiling ) Noooo … I can ’ t think of one I ’ d like . In previous years , Brandon would answer what was on his Christmas wish list before I finished asking what he would like from me . One year , it was a motorized truck that I unsuccessfully searched for at local stores and online , only to find it after going to several Walmart stores in Jackson on Christmas Eve .
A store salesperson confirmed that “ 1 ” was available in the store . However , when I went to the location it was not there . It took a few minutes , but after digging , I found the coveted item “ hidden ” behind several other toys .
Other gift requests have included : a KidiZoom , a smartwatch that allows kids to take pictures , videos , selfies and play games ; a KidiConnect , which allows kids to send messages to a parent-approved list of contacts , as well as play games and other activities ; and last year , a FitBit for kids .
Call me old-fashioned but when gift-giving , I like to give a “ gift .” There ’ s great pleasure in finding something special for someone , or giving them something they want but did not expect . Their excitement when tearing open the package , followed by a big smile upon seeing what ’ s inside … I get giddy just thinking about it .
Realizing that Brandon is no longer a baby ( he ’ s 10 , but I still call him baby when he calls me ; I ’ m working on refraining from that ), after some thought I knew what his new “ piece de resistance ” would be :
Me : So what about clothes ? Is there something you would like ? Brandon : ( Immediately ) A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G Tommy Hilfiger ! I LOVE Tommy Hilfiger !
Me : ( Smiles )
Gearing up for the new year
A new year awaits us and , hopefully , positivity and new possibilities .
Without question , the last two years have been anything but a picnic : a pandemic that caused worldwide pandemonium , prompted physical and social distancing among family , friends , coworkers and society , and inflicted physical pain , even death , to millions .
How we deal with stress , hardship or any negative events which impact our lives is essential to our survival . In this issue of Timeless Meridian , four women from the Meridian area share how they have managed to , in the worlds of the Curtis Mayfield song , “ Keep on Keeping On ”: Tiffany Williams , Yoga ; Joyce Cox , Coloring Technique ; Anna Sutton , Upholstery ; and Dottie Dudley , Mediation . Let their stories “ free your mind …” And , the rest will follow .
— Ida Brown Coordinator , Timeless Meridian Magazine
On the Cover
TIMELESS
MERIDIAN December 2021 / January 2022
Healthy habits for the new year
In the kitchen with Jenny Lynn Taylor
... and more !
PAGE 6 : Transforming mind , body and spirit
www . meridianstar . com
MIND , BODY AND SPIRIT
Hobbies bring comfort to local residents
A publication of The Meridian Star
TIMELESS MERIDIAN
PUBLISHER — Jack Robb EDITOR — Bill Graham COORDINATOR / WRITER — Ida Brown ADVERTISING SALES — Lisa Webb , Michelle Yelverton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS — Monique Harrison-Henderson , Glenda Sanders PHOTOGRAPHER — Terrell Clark GRAPHIC DESIGNER — Helen C . Reynolds TIMELESS MAGAZINE — 814 22nd Ave ., Meridian , MS , 39301 — 601.693.1551 — Advertising information , publisher @ themeridianstar . com
Timeless is published six times a year and is a publication of The Meridian Star . Annual subscriptions are $ 24 . To subscribe , email publisher @ themeridianstar . com
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