The tree is decorated, lights are strung, gifts are wrapped, cookies are baked and Christmas cheer is being spread around town. Yet, reasons to grieve continue. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had to compartmentalize.

I found myself driving Indian Hill the other day, hoping Becky Cournoyer’s geese would choose to cross the road as I passed. The geese have been a topic of annoyance for a neighbor or two. For me, and I’ve since heard for many others, they are one of life’s simple pleasures and a reason to slow down and — as great-grandma Bette Carroll would say — “sit a spell” and watch them waddle their way to their next location to frolic. Goose waddles are good for your spirits and prompt smiles at a time when we need them most.

Delivering cheer to the folks at Coast Guard Station Menemsha was also a great diversionary tactic for the grief. This was year four of Adopt a Coastie baskets that were packed to the brim with everything from baked goods to T-shirts to gift cards and small toys and games.

Thank you to the Flanders-Thorpes, Olivers, Noyes-Keenes, Ambulos, Shipways, Kimbers, Spiro-Ellistons, Vieiras, Espositos, Gould-Lamonts, Lewenbergs, Heilbron-Goldmans, Berinis, Weidner-Ruimermans, Cody-Fursts, Brinja-Carrolls, Malkins, Noyes, Walshs, Wiesners, the derby committee, the folks at the Chilmark Church, Bradley Carroll, Dawn Barnes, Mariah and Jessica Campbell, Debbie Packer, Linda Thompson, Julie Morgan, Claire Ganz, Judi Worthington, Jennifer Burkin and Mary Breslauer for making it all happen.

You can spread a little more cheer by helping keep our dear friend June Manning’s tradition alive by dropping off goodies on Christmas Eve, too.

Flying Santa swooped in to visit the children of Station Menemsha this past weekend. What a sight it is to see his helicopter pass overhead — the reindeer are, of course, resting — as he heads to land at the station. Sam, Ben, John William, Savannah, Jacob, Ryker, Riley, Avalee, Lucca and Mila certainly were pleased to have the big man in red take time out of his schedule.

At a small ceremony, the community bid farewell to Courtney Eastman, who has been the second in command at Station Menemsha. He will head off to California — Los Angeles, I believe — to work on the recruiting side of the Coast Guard. Let’s wish him much happiness as his chapter unfolds on the West coast.

Congratulations to Jake Waters-Maciel and Colleen Wilson who have decided marriage is in their near future. The “will you marry me?” question was popped, followed by that three letter word, y-e-s. Let’s all be thrilled for them as they head off to make a go of life in southern Maine.

Southern California and a visit with grandkids Reno and Jackson called to Shakti Reynolds and she answered. One of the countless highlights of being together with them and their parents Ross and Sophia was celebrating Reno’s fifth birthday.

Monday evening, at a ceremony at MVRHS, three Chilmark teens were inducted into the National Honor Society. Delilah Oliver, Quinlan Slavin and Emily MacMillan joined the century-old tradition that “stands as a beacon of intellectual rigor, a celebration of service, a paragon of leadership, and a champion of character” and, as founder Dr. Edward Rynearson envisioned, being a member will “not only ignite the flames of scholarship but also fan the sparks of service, leadership, and character in the young minds of our nation.”

As you can see, there is joy around us amidst the grief, but the grief continues to overshadow at times, especially when we have lost yet another dear community member.

I have no words to comfort my dear friend Albert Fischer as he and his children Molly, Lydia, Chris and Andrew grieve the loss of the most spectacular Linda one could have in their lives. I read somewhere that if you analyze a name by its letters you can grab a glimpse of that person’s character. Not knowing what to write to comfort the Fischer family, I looked that up. Here is what I found:

L means resolute but good-natured

I delivers an aura of innovation and inspiration

N leans to display a more emotional than rational position

D stands for diligence, perseverance and the builder of strong family roots

A means words are nothing but actions say everything

Linda drew people into her heart and now she will sit in a little spot in ours.