"There's just a million little memories that remind me you're not here. It's just a different kind of Christmas this year."~"Different Kind of Christmas"-Mark Schultz
It's the most wonderful time of the year, isn't it? Unfortunately, that's not always true. For many, this Christmas marks the first one they're celebrating without a beloved friend or family member. As much as they want to celebrate, every part of the celebration is a reminder that there's one less person celebrating with them.
Personally, I have felt this way two separate times, once thirteen years ago following my grandmother's death, and then again last year, following the death of my friend Katherine. She lost her battle with cancer only four days before Christmas, and since I knew it was coming, it was hard to get excited for the season. I knew that as Christmas was creeping closer, so, too, was her imminent demise. I prayed that she would survive long enough to celebrate the holidays with her family, but that did not happen. I wasn't sure how I would make it through the holiday, and then a friend shared this poem on Facebook. I was still sad, but reading it gave me enough comfort that I was able to get through the holiday. While this year was better for me, I know of others who have lost people since last Christmas, so this year is the hard one.
So what can you do if someone you know is having a hard time being cheerful due to the loss of a loved one this past year? The best thing to do is pray for them. Not only that, but also let them know that you're thinking about them and praying for them. Sometimes, all a person needs when they're struggling is the assurance that others care about them. Showing them hope is one way to assure that although this was a different kind of Christmas, it doesn't have to be a bad one.
It's the most wonderful time of the year, isn't it? Unfortunately, that's not always true. For many, this Christmas marks the first one they're celebrating without a beloved friend or family member. As much as they want to celebrate, every part of the celebration is a reminder that there's one less person celebrating with them.
Personally, I have felt this way two separate times, once thirteen years ago following my grandmother's death, and then again last year, following the death of my friend Katherine. She lost her battle with cancer only four days before Christmas, and since I knew it was coming, it was hard to get excited for the season. I knew that as Christmas was creeping closer, so, too, was her imminent demise. I prayed that she would survive long enough to celebrate the holidays with her family, but that did not happen. I wasn't sure how I would make it through the holiday, and then a friend shared this poem on Facebook. I was still sad, but reading it gave me enough comfort that I was able to get through the holiday. While this year was better for me, I know of others who have lost people since last Christmas, so this year is the hard one.
So what can you do if someone you know is having a hard time being cheerful due to the loss of a loved one this past year? The best thing to do is pray for them. Not only that, but also let them know that you're thinking about them and praying for them. Sometimes, all a person needs when they're struggling is the assurance that others care about them. Showing them hope is one way to assure that although this was a different kind of Christmas, it doesn't have to be a bad one.
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