Hey Family!
Happy Holidays!
Many would say this is “the most wonderful time of the year”… but that’s not the reality for everyone.
I lost my grandfather in May. He passed away a couple weeks after I graduated college. This holiday will be the first one without his smile, soft spoken responses and most of all his presence. My grandfather died of Dementia, an Alzheimer’s disease that causes memory loss and eventually death. My grandfather lived with this disease for years... much longer than most diagnosed.
My family will spend “the most wonderful time of the year” grieving.
I have a lot to say about how we engage socially during the holidays; stereotypes, traditions, socially acceptable behaviors and an even longer lists of “do’s & do not talk about” topics for the family dinner table during holidays (i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and so many more) but none of that matters now.
Now, I encourage you to love on those who are around. Life robs us of so much, but gives us so much more... every day, every month, every year, every moment. We can all attest to losing someone or something this year that we care deeply about. Whether your loss is alive or passed on, you are valid in your grief, sadness and desire for solitude.
I only have one request… LIVE. Live for the people and things you’ve lost. Live for the family and friends you can still call on. Live for your hopes, your dreams and those “New Year Resolutions”. Most of all, live for you, because you need you more than anyone else could ever.
The most beautiful part about grief is knowing that death is definite, but it is not final. As believers, whether startling the fence of faith or kneeling at the throne of grace, we can be sure that we will see those we love again if they died in Christ.
So, be merry. Be hopeful. Be peaceful. Carry the love you have for those you’ve lost with you everywhere you go. And remember, don’t stop living because the people and the things you held so close to your heart, couldn’t live in this moment with you.
You, too, deserve to be happy AND at peace.
I love you! Jesus loves you EVEN more!
Be blessed family. Keep your head up, and if you can’t that’s okay too.
Xoxo Miss Ponder
This ponder puff message truly blessed me!!! Thank you!!♥️