A Different Kind of Christmas This Year !

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It's a different kind of Christmas this year !  There is loss all around, change happens in the quiet of the night or the rush of the day.  You can't stop it, will it away or pretend it doesn't exist.

This year as I reflect on those around me I am reminded that there are so many who will be experiencing Christmas for the first time without that someone special in their lives.

It has been five Christmas's without Bo, four without David and this is DeMomma's first without Poppa.  Many of my friends has felt the impact of the earthly death of a Mother, Father, sister, brother, cousin, friend and a few have forever been changed by the death of their child.

A different kind of Christmas for sure.  For the first time in five years, I am not sitting with my grief partner D wondering how we are going to make Christmas seem normal for our grandsons, not wondering when the cancer will take D home.  For the first time in five years, I am anticipating the birth of Christ with a renewed excitement about life.

Yes, I am one of the grateful ones.  I know where my son and husband are.   I was loved by a great man and had a beautiful no regret life together in spite of so many difficulties through out the years. My son was a quirky, love filled man who graced my life for 32 years.  I am one of the fortunate ones.

Now, I have been blessed by my Abba with a new love.  Someone to watch over me, love me and spend the rest of our lives together according to HIS plan.

As you take time to reflect on the beauty of God's grace and love, be mindful that all of us feel things differently, handle loss in our own unique ways and live to be loved.  We are GOD's children, striving to embrace our new normal, our life changes and the gift of Christ.

GOD is good all the time and all the time GOD is good.  I believe that, I love HIM for that and I live to change in HIS love.

Merry Christmas to all and to all GOD's blessings on you and yours !!!!