It’s been an emotional week for me for some reason. I think the grief is slipping up on me and I am realizing that it happens when I am least expecting it. But then that is grief, isn’t it? This year alone I can name 5 friends who have lost their moms right off the top of my head without even thinking hard about it. It has been a year of grief for many and it is so difficult to not be able to do something for each and every one of those friends who is experiencing it.
The week started off with volunteering for the last time this year with the Sharing House Christmas Blessings where local parents, grandparents and guardians shop for their children in a magically transformed first floor of a building filled with every kind of gift imaginable. Lynn, who heads up the program, is nothing short of amazing and this week it hit me hard how some of these folks really have nothing other than what they are able to get at this event every year for their kids. A single dad of five found the perfect items and he and the others expressed their sincere gratitude for the generosity of our community who provides thousands of dollars worth of items that are given away each year. When I left on Monday I think they had given out gifts to almost 800 children. Incredible and amazing. Heart warming and yet heart breaking at the same time.
I had a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday and my doctor is part of the Advent Health System. Every appointment certain questions are asked. Do you have someone who cares about you? Do you have joy in your life? Those two questions, while they may seem a little odd at first glance, are truly important and I gratefully can honestly answer yes to both. I have a lot of people who truly care about me and yes, yes indeed, I do have joy in my life. What a blessing.
The country is plunging into a cold winter storm coming and from the looks of it we will be incredible cold here in our little county in North Carolina. While it is nothing compared to many parts of the country it just reminds me of the man I gave a stocking hat to on Monday who was wearing no coat and short sleeves in 30 degree weather. My heart hurt that I had nothing else to give him but I am hopeful that he was able to go upstairs to get some warmer clothes.
All of these things have left me contemplative and reflective. Christmas is usually a time of joy and celebration – for many it is a time of struggle and this year a time of incredible cold and horrible weather conditions. For those that are traveling, for those without heat or even without homes, my heart is aching for those and I ask God to be with each and every one. While we gather around our full table I pray for those who have little or no food. I hope you will do the same and reach out in whatever manner you can to those who need a little extra love this year. If you are grieving, you are in my heart. If you are sad and lonely, I will say a prayer for you. To each and every one of you who read this post – I love you.
9 Comments
Leave a commentBeautifully said. This is such a beautiful, joyous time of year, but it can also be a sad time of year as we miss loved ones. 🙏🏻💕
Beautiful post. I’ve been thinking this week about the difference between “joy” and “happiness”. I pray that we have inner joy, even if there are times when we are not happy. So, Merry Christmas to you and yours! (We are scurrying home on Thursday to try and beat the storm.)
Reading this made me emotional… it is such a joyous and yet, sad time of year at the same time.
It’ll be a cold Christmas for us in South Florida too. Cold enough to fire up the fireplace. I have friends traveling north and it worries me. I do hope everyone stays safe and warm.
Thinking of you, as well, Dear One. So hard NOT to buy presents for someone who isn’t here. Mike couldn’t even walk into Lowe’s or Home Depot this year since we couldn’t buy anything for Dad. One foot forward at a time. You are a blessing to so many. You have such a tremendous heart.
And we love you too. A lovely post. Thanks.
Oh Beth Ann, you are such a beautiful, kind, caring person, I’m sad that you’re sad. But I know what you’re feeling, as I’ve been blue this season too. It’s our moms and dads and other family members that we miss so much. Even when we know we have so much to be thankful for we still feel a bit sad, and then we feel bad that we feel sad, and that’s just wrong. It’s OK for us to miss our people (and pets) even though we have so much more than many people out there. Yesterday I was at a cancer center with my husband who is going through treatment and it struck me as I looked around how many people are so much sicker than he is, and how lucky we are that what he has is (hopefully) less horrible than what I was seeing all around us. I felt so sad for all of them, and I pray they all have a peaceful holiday and that their treatments work. There’s so much to be sad about, but there’s so much to be joyful about too…here the SUN is shining (finally) and it’s going to be a beautiful day. So, sending hugs to you, my friend, stay warm and safe through the coming storm, we will too.
Beth Ann, what a touching post. Your writing shows the depth of your compassionate heart. Your actions show the same. Grief does have a way of sneaking up on us and tomorrow I write about my unexpected moment of grief this holiday season. Hugs and much love to you as you grieve the loss of your mom.
What a touching blog. After 50 years I still would love to give my mama Christmas gifts. I too pray for the poor & homeless especially doing this cold weather and the holidays. I am praying your sadness ends soon because you are to special a lady to say sad for to long.
You said it all in this reflection. Beautiful words from a beautiful heart. Merry Christmas, Beth Ann to you and all of yours!