For many of us…this is a season of missing…missing…

For many of us…this is a season of missing…missing…

Our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, other family and friends

We miss their everything…especially during the Holidays

For years I struggled to overcome my grief during this time of year…

My last visit to the gravesite…on replay …

The vision of my father, mother and brothers…

All present…

But I was the only one standing…on this side of Glory

It was an overwhelming sense of feeling all alone…

That would stay with me for years…looming in the background

And the fact that it was during the Holidays…

Gave it a different feel for me

An ‘always missing them’ kind of sadness…that ran deep

It took a lot of prayer to get to the point…

Where I listened to what God put on my heart…

I am never alone…

My parents introduced me to The Comforter…

Who would be with me…always

He reminded me that they would not want me to be sad…

But filled with joy…

So that I could be that…for my children…and others

My mother made her transition during this time of year…

And my father’s birthday is also this time of year

Many relatives and friends have had losses…

And have reminders…during this Season…

Of what was

I have learned how to be grateful for what was…

And will forever be…in my heart

And though it was a process…

Across a sea of emotions…

I’ve learned how to focus on the purpose…

The Origin…of this Season

Keeping it all about gratitude…

For the birth of Jesus Christ…

And what He means to me…

And has meant to my family for generations

I have learned to be present in the moment…

Enjoying what is and who is…present in my life

That’s the greatest gift we can give ourselves…

In the midst of our memories of loss…but God’s gain

Being present is our present…

To ourselves and those still with us…on this side

Gift your presence…

There are many who need it…and want it

Gift it unwrapped…so that they can see what it is…

Your Love…Peace…and Joy…