REGION — 2020 has been a hard year.

Families have lost loved ones, jobs and a sense of stability. We’re not used to it: Widespread tragedy doesn’t usually strike so close to home. Or so relentlessly.

For this year, when holiday traditions and occasions have been curtailed, we are tasked with improvising new traditions and celebrating the gifts that live or have lived among us.

George and Deborah Kane, aka Mr. and Mrs. Claus at this time of year—and other characters at other times—were a regular feature at the Narrowsburg Tree Lighting.

Always up for a challenge and with a sense of play, last year Santa mimed that he was reading scandalous news while Mrs. Claus, in her wisdom, was taking it all in. Debbie died this year on September 30.

A GoFundMe page is still collecting for medical expenses (www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-george-and-deborah-kane).

These times of trouble and loss remind us of the impermanence of our world. They also remind us that we each have the capacity to bring joy and goodwill that can spread in our daily living and throughout the community.

However you are celebrating or not, we appreciate your presence among us. 

May your holidays be as bright as possible. This, too, shall pass.