Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a friend. As I was getting ready at home, I realized it was December 15th—the day my mother passed away in 2008. I was already incredibly sad for my friend and his family, but this memory brought me to an old and familiar place of sadness in missing my mom. My mind instantly transported me to the day of her funeral, in the pouring rain, as we sat in a tiny old church filled with poinsettias. I was reminded that holidays aren’t all lights, and trees, and presents. It was a heavy day.

Later on that day, I was on the phone with a person I was asked to speak with about my journey. Although I didn’t know her, we instantly hit it off and the conversation flowed effortlessly. In her explanation of why she was doing what she was doing, she said, “I’m sure you’ve never heard of the hymn, ‘Here I am Lord,’ but I feel like I am being called.” As she spoke those words, you could have knocked me over with a feather—that was the hymn we played at my mom’s funeral. I love it, but it always reduces me to a blubbering mess when I hear it. I felt like I got a little hug from my mom yesterday with these words.

The holiday season can be tough. Think about those around you who might be struggling. And if it’s you that’s struggling, be kind to yourself. Allow those emotions to flow. I always say that the good part about being sad is that it means whomever you are missing must have been a great person, otherwise you wouldn’t be sad. I’m sending my own warm hug to all of you.

With Love,

Beth