TAKING TIME by Rebecca Escotf Penn State Extension Home Economist For Lehigh County The fall and winter months bring many families together for Thanksgiving, Kwaanza, Hanuk kah, Christmas, and other holiday family reunions. These are times when families are celebrated, and yet many times this past week, I heard people lamenting—regret ting that not everyone would be together this week or that they wouldn’t be able to travel this year. Staying connected with family even when you’re physically miles apart is very important. I just com mented to a friend that perhaps her OLD-FASHIONED /\ CLEAR TOY CANDY M Wholesale * Retail . SB Mail Order kg? Starter Kits * Molds Cake And Kandy Emporium 10 MINUTES NORTH OF LANCASTER ON ROUTE 72 VILLAGE COMMON, RT. 72 N. 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You might make a ritual of calling members who are not pre sent in the late afternoon or set aside time to write letters to people who are in different communities to share how you spent your day and to convey your hopes and hol iday wishes with them. Assemble a letter writing kit with stationery, postcards, stamps, envelopes, return address labels, ink pads and stamps, stickers, etc. For one half hour, sit as a family and write to relatives. Each person selects a different person to write to. Young children can draw pictures. Afthe end of the letter, other family members can add a P.S. if they wish. These letters can be sent in advance and then read before the meal or opening of gifts. Even though you may not be together, family members may agree to all serve a special menu item that has been a part of your past family gatherings. Or, send a piece of dinnerware, serving plate, or table decoration to a family member in another state. 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Pi Fc Wi W Wickes Lumber Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Novambar 26, 1994-815 special days when you can’t be together, you can celebrate your relationship by using the china, bread basket, or candlesticks. On some dinner tables, that will mean having quite a collection of unmatched items—each with a story. Your family can take time out from feasting to talk about the members who are “with you” through the memorabilia. Another alternative is to tape record yourself reading a story book and send the recording to a child or grandchild in another place. For an added treat, include the book so they can “read along.” Some families stay connected to “family” and to their heritage by participating in similar routines even though they are not in the same households. In my growing Holiday Decorating Get in the holiday spirit by par ticipating in the “Holiday Decorat ing Workshop”, December 3, 1994 from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM at PECO Energy Company’s Muddy Run Information Center. This is a family event where each can make and take a simple holiday craft decoration. There will be candy ornaments, wreaths, swags, and additional nat ural items that can be made in one salespeople and you’ve got it all! Computer Aided Customizing! Any of our package designs can be tailored to suit your needs with our Computer Aided Design capabilities. Ask a Wickes Lumber associate for details! 2x4 Continuous r" - up family, keeping an advent cal endar was an important family rit ual. Now as an adult, I purchase calendars for all my siblings’ fam ilies. Periodically, I check in with them to see how theirs is. Just knowing that each day they are opening a window like I am keeps me feeling connected. Consider spending the after noon doing one of those jobs that always gets put off—label photos and place them in albums. You can reminisce and sense your con nections to family and friends (and get some work done, too). These are just a few of the hun dreds of ways that you can stay connected mentally and emotion ally to family members when the holidays find you physically miles apart. afternoon. A small fee may be charged for particular supplies, however, most ornaments will be free of charge. Participants can drop in anytime between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Muddy Run Infor mation Center. For more information please call PECO Energy Company Muddy Run Information Center at 717-284-2538. ■ n*T In 1 mini «i ~ IIIimiIWH»HH?UIMNII ivy-Duty ifl Door icks & rdware