If I am honest I am having a bit of a blue Christmas this year. I really am trying to put a happy face on and go about all of the holiday activities but inside I am blue.

I know I am not alone.

There are a lot of reasons why folks may be feeling a bit blue this Christmas. Loneliness, stress, anxiety all add into the mix and can sometimes feel more than a little bit overwhelming during the holidays. Mine is primarily due to grief.

Losing a parent is tough anytime but losing my mom on Christmas Day 2020 casts a whole shadow on the celebration of the day. Last year I think I handled it a bit better than I am this year but as we all know – grief comes and goes. It has no time table or agenda. It visits whenever it wants to visit and what I have learned is that I need to just embrace it and allow myself to experience the waves of grief as they come. I miss my mom so much.

I have found myself weeping at sentimental Christmas movies. I have cried at hearing the Hallelujah Chorus. I have teared up when witnessing the kindness of others. And that darn Toyota commercial gets me bawling every single time. If you know what one I am talking about you can understand.

Sometimes there are services at church that honor the Blue Christmas and this year I am going to be going to a special service tonight to experience some community and healing.

Several local churches are presenting a service for The Longest Night to offer hope and encouragement to those who need just that. If you are in the area and would like to attend I am sure it will be a service that will indeed give you hope. If you want to attend please do –the address is 256 E Main St Brevard, NC 28712.