The holiday season is traditionally a time for families to gather together. It can be a very stressful time of year for anyone and particularly for Aspiro families who have a loved one away from home.
Perhaps recent family dynamics haven’t been as positive adding to their distress. Aspiro provides an opportunity, anytime of the year, for families to renew their bonds and pull together to create healthier choices moving forward. Aspiro recognizes it can be challenging to be away from your child anytime, but especially the during holidays.
As emotional as it is for parents to care from a distance, it is likely even more challenging for your child to be away from their home and family during this season. As a result, we intentionally and sincerely strive to make the holidays at Aspiro as memorable as possible for all cultures and beliefs. During the winter season, we focus on families, tradition, and gratitude. We ensure that all of our students enjoy a caring, unique, and unforgettable positive holiday experience that honors all different belief systems within the limits of what is safe and reasonable in a therapeutic wilderness program.
We accomplish this in a variety of ways from “stockings of love” from parents and family, a special meal, a lighting of the candles, and a decorated tree. Aspiro encourages families and students to share gifts that hold meaning such as shared memories, hopeful and loving letters, and some special food or games to honor the past and celebrate what is possible for the future.
Ultimately, we want to make sure that your son or daughter knows they truly are a gift to the world and their talents and uniqueness are celebrated by those who care the most about them. At Aspiro Adventure Therapy Program, the overall theme of December, religious or not, is to take time to appreciate what is most important and valued in our individual lives.
We approach the holiday season as a time to be mindful of the present, focus on what is working now, and focus on the great things that lie ahead. There is absolutely no doubt that having your son or daughter at Aspiro during the holidays is difficult, even painful.
Our hope and desire though, is that by allowing us to experience this season with your child, you will then be able to share all of the holidays thereafter in a more meaningful, heartfelt, and loving way than ever before.
