Family celebrations

(12/2023) No matter what happens in the world before this edition of the Woodsboro Walkersville News Journal goes to print, the first days of winter are a time many of us pause, reflect, spend time with family, remember our faith and humanity.

Communities goes through changes every year. Some of the best come from meeting new people. Change doesn’t cost traditions. The people who come into our lives create a larger family, with traditions to share.

The new owners of Trout’s, Diya Rajbhandari and her family, live in Walkersville, and are enriching the local traditions of our community. Our family favorites for the holidays can be found there, turkey, potatoes, Cope’s Corn. Local and regional favorites from Linganore and Yuengling mingle with new favorites. A few (new to me) interesting wines, Imagery Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonterra Chardonnay and Specialist Zinfandel, pair nicely with locally sourced produce and meats.

In the winter holidays we pause to share stories of inspiration.

I recently read a short, autobiographical story by Katherine Hepburn. She and her father had been in line to but tickets to see a show. In front of them was a family, parents and children, just as excited as the Hepburns. When their turn came, the father of that family found he did not have money to pay for their tickets. Nothing was spoken, but the look on those parents’ faces told the story of how devastating it was about to be when their children learned they would not see the show. Hepburn’s father quietly dropped some of his own money to the ground, saying "Sir, I think you dropped this." Knowing looks were exchanged, and the families parted ways. The family of strangers went in. Then the Hepburns went home.

Hepburn said she and her father felt joy in being able to help that family. I’m sure they did. I also think much of the joy from such experiences is the memory of when we do what is right, when we can. In the moment, we feel relief that tragedy—great or small—was averted. That is what the holidays make me think of. Tragedies great or small I may have helped deflect, and small mercies shown to me. In the world today there are face-offs everywhere. Since the dawn of time humans have needed to balance the aggressive rhythms of life with times of respite and rest. A holiday.

Human inflicted traumas, as we see happening around the world, lead to generations of damage. The opposing force is the lasting effect of doing the right thing, building generations of strong bonds with neighbors.

Writing about what community means is a universal reflection for this time of year. All people need a sense of self preservation, but a true community holiday is about so much more than "what’s in it for me?". We stop to renew our faith—in religion, humanity, that the spring days are coming. Faith and church are about community, not separation. It is worth remembering that people who don’t value other people, often don’t know their own value. When the world seems certain to tear itself apart, it is worth remembering the things we do each day to hold it together, and that every religion has a way of phrasing the Golden Rule.

Buddhism - Hurt not others with that which pains yourself. Udanavarga.

Christianity - All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Bible, St. Matthew.

Confucianism - Is there any maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one’s whole life? Surely the maxim of loving kindness is such—Do not unto others what you would not they should do unto you. Analects.

Hebraism - What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man. That is the whole of the Torah and the remainder is but commentary. Go learn it. Talmud.

Hinduism - This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to thee, would cause thee pain. Mahabharata.

Islam - No one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. Traditions.

Jainism - In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self, and should therefore refrain from inflicting upon others such injury as would appear undesirable to us if inflicted upon ourselves. Yogashastra.

Sikhism - As thou deemest thyself so deem others. Then shalt thou become a partner in heaven. Kabir.

Taoism - Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain: and your neighbor' loss as your own loss. T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien.

Unitarianism - The inherent worth and dignity of every person. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations. We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Unitarian Universalist Association.

Zoroastrianism - That nature is only good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self. Dadistan-i-dinik.

Most of these phrasings of the Golden Rule are as they appear on the Norman Rockwell Museum website. No doubt there are many more phrasings of the Golden Rule to pair with many more religions. They are not missing in this column because of newspaper print space. Their absence simply illustrates that I have so much more to learn.

For over a century Norman Rockwell’s work has celebrated life in America. From the joys of holiday tradition to the depths of fighting for civil rights. It is worth remembering that some of our greatest artists are also some of our greatest humanitarians.

Examples of the Golden Rule are all around us, if only we pay attention.

Hold your family and friends closer, and if you are reading this here at home in Woodsboro or Walkersville, stop by Trout’s and pick up something to share for your holiday meal.

The array of choices at Trout’s pair nicely with gatherings of friends, family, and good conversation.