With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I have made a conscious effort every day to remember all the things I am thankful for. From family to warm sheets from the dryer, from what we may take for granted to all the little things we never give a second thought — finding tidbits of hope to hold on to seems especially important this year.

There have been so many changes in all our lives during this past year, that looking back at last years holidays seems almost surreal. The fear the media continually instills in us and insistence that this “new norm” is something we should get used to, makes the impending holidays seem somewhat dim and foreboding. Whether right or wrong, realistic or not, I refuse to accept that life as we knew it just eight months ago is gone for good and we are doing whatever it takes to make sure Zachary doesn’t lose hope.

Christmas at our house has always been festive and warm, yet as we’ve tried to find the “spirit” to move forward this year, admittedly it has been a struggle. There is so much emphasis being put on the changes, that I truly believe the meaning of the season is being lost. For this reason, I have decided that this year at our home and on Keep In Touch, it is more important than ever to hold on to small glimpses of what makes this season so special. We don’t want to remember what has changed, but rather what we still have to hold on to and what is really important.

There will be no masks on ornaments or cute puns about how ‘we survived 2020.’ There is nothing cute or frivolous about the affect this situation has had on our students, our families, our community, and our lives. We will not dwell on what cannot be this year, but rather we will celebrate the memories of good friends gathered for parties, loved family members sharing Christmas dreams, and joyful greetings from our neighbors. We will do more of the things that help us stay connected by reaching out and hold true to the belief that Peace on Earth and Good Will Towards Men, the foundation of the holiday season, will prevail.

So how about it? Are you in?

To kick off the holiday celebrations this year, Lutz Keep In Touch needs your involvement. Keeping our students — no, keeping our families focused on what the true meaning of the holidays are – peace, love, kindness, and hope – will make this December worth remembering for the right reasons. From now until December 24th, new activities, games, ideas, suggestions, and requests will be sent out from Lutz Keep In Touch all in an effort to bring us together through a concerted effort to not just get through this, but to Make this December one to Remember.

The first activity is a Christmas Card Exchange, open to all current and past Lutz students, their families, and all Lutz teachers and staff. Click HERE for all the information.

Then, on Thanksgiving night, 25 Days of Holiday Trivia will begin. Each day, for 25 days, a question about holiday songs, movies, or traditions will be posted on the Lutz Keep In Touch Facebook Page as well as on this site, and the first student to respond with the correct answer will receive a personalized handmade custom Lutz Keep In Touch 2020 ornament for their tree. More information on this to follow.

Also being planned is a holiday video with pictures and clips submitted by students and their families as well as any Lutz staff that would like to participate, sharing their traditions and holiday wishes with everyone here on Lutz Keep In Touch.

And what holiday season would be complete without the singing of Christmas carols? Well, we’re working on something for that as well.

So, please stay tuned and as always Keep In Touch.  Let’s Make this a December to Remember for everyone!

Lisa Dukicin, Lutz Keep In Touch, Zack’s Mom