Feeling all the feels. The slang term describes an overwhelming emotional reaction and I think I am in the midst of feeling all the feels this holiday season.
First of all, I am so missing my mom. She was such a big part of all of my Christmas memories and probably especially after Daddy died in 1994 I felt like she was the central part of the season. We would try to be with her during the holidays as often as we could and our family gatherings were always events. Not without drama usually because it involved trips to Ohio, winter weather and all that goes with that but boy, do I ever find myself missing her these days.
Her death 2 years ago on Christmas Day, while it was a relief that she no longer was trapped in a failing body and mind, was and continues to be difficult. There are so many things that remind me of her daily and my sister and I often text each other with something that made us think of her. I guess that is part of grief. Keeping her memory alive is still a very important thing. I still miss my dad but the death of my mother is still so fresh that I guess it is in the forefront.
The past couple of weeks have been full ones filled with chorale rehearsals and performances, fundraising events, book sales and volunteering at Sharing House. It seems that perhaps it has caught up with me as I now have the beginnings of a cold that I am trying to fight. My two friends DayQuil and NyQuil are ever ready to help me get through this minor unpleasantness.
So when I say I am feeling all the feels, I am. I loved our chorale performances and loved seeing the audiences react and respond and get into the holiday spirit right along with us. Helping families select toys for their children through the Christmas Blessings program at Sharing House brought pure joy not only to the parents and grandparents but to me as I was able to catch their excitement about giving their children a fun Christmas.
Having a pesky little cold maybe amplifying my “feels” at the moment but that is only a good thing for me at this point. Too often my life gets overly busy and I overlook all of those little extraordinary moments that pop up every day.
But trust me when I tell you that I definitely felt all the feels when our grandson said “Gramma” and “Grampa” very clearly when he saw us on FaceTime. Life is good, isn’t it? Take time today to feel all the feels.
What has been a special “feel” for you lately? I would love to hear about it so tell me all about it in the comments and Comment for a Cause for Conserving Carolina.
12 Comments
Leave a commentI bet hearing Theo say that to you and Chris was an amazing moment. It made me smile reading about it. ❤️
I think the holidays in general are a time for feeling all the feels. My mom left on Monday for Germany, for good and it hasn’t fully hit me yet that she’ll now live an ocean away. So yeah, lots of feelings there.
Oh man—- I am sad your mom left for Germany — that’s gotta be tough to be so far apart but hopefully you can make a trip soon!
Love and joy come to you, And to you glad christmas too, And God bless you and send you, A happy new year…
Your posts bring me so much joy.
Thanks! I am so glad to have you as a friend!
Nothing better than those sweet words first uttered from a grandchild! You’re entitled to “feel all the feels.” I’m feeling a bit unmotivated about Christmas this year as family will not be here for that holiday (we celebrated at Thanksgiving). And on top of that, my “cold” actually was that stupid virus that keeps making the rounds. But I’m totally recovered from that, just not motivated.
Ugh. I hate being sick even if it isn’t really bad. Just puts a damper on everything, doesn’t it? My plan is one day at a time, do what I can and try to focus on enjoying the season!
Hope you feel better soon!
Grief is such a layered feeling. It comes and goes and times like the holidays, especially, cause grief to rise. And that’s OK. Better to feel than to suppress your feelings. I hope you feel better soon, my dearest friend.
Thinking of you during this Christmas season.
Feeling very Christmassy after having an early Christmas dinner with friends and visiting the well decorated mall and beach. I will always miss my mom too, especially at Christmas time as her birthday was on Christmas day.
For sure Christmas brings up a lot of feelings. This month my mom has been in Heaven for 50 years and still I miss her dearly. What a wonderful feeling when Theo called you both gramma & grampa. Lot of love there.
Stinker of a head cold, isn’t it? Oh but it’s a precious moment when children first recognize Grandma (or Aunt or whomever).
Something that feels very good: selling a book review to a new site with a real live printed magazine.