Last weekend, I was sitting in my comfy chair with my laptop in my lap (funny how some things are so aptly named) knowing I wanted to blog about Christmas, but not sure quite what I wanted to say. I’ve heard a lot of people talking about how it doesn’t feel like Christmas this year. To be sure, it’s been a tough year, and more so for some than others. Throughout the year I have been troubled by the state of our country’s political landscape, social unrest, and the physical and mental health of… Everyone.
Closer to home, I have friends who have lost loved ones, are suffering from physical health issues and mental fatigue, and have job worries. I don’t personally know anyone who has food insecurity or is facing eviction, but that is an issue facing many at this time as well.
While I was thinking about all of this, listening to Christmas music, and wondering if I had anything hopeful or worthy to say, Faith Hill started singing one of my favorite Christmas songs.
Where are you Christmas
Why can’t I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can’t I hear music play
When my mom died on December 18, 2011, I felt every single one of those words like they were written for me. If our house hadn’t already been decorated, I couldn’t have decorated. I didn’t want to get together with family. I knew that Christmas, like everything else, would never be the same, and I was right. It hasn’t been.
Most people get together with family at Christmastime. When you’ve lost a loved one, it is one of the hardest parts of facing the holiday. But Christmas isn’t about getting together with family. We do get together with family, but the reason we get together is to celebrate Jesus’ birth and the hope that he brought, and brings, for the future.
You have to have hope and you have to keep going. That’s one area where Mom was a great example. She had some tough life struggles and I’m sure she didn’t always feel hopeful. But she always said, you have to get up, get dressed, and show up. She put a smile on her face and soldiered on. I try to do that too. I don’t think they used to say ‘fake it, until you make it’ back in her day, but it’s the same sentiment. Keep going, until you can get yourself back on track.
That’s what I did when facing Christmas. I had a crappy first Christmas without her. The second one wasn’t so good either. But each one has gotten better. We go on. And when we don’t have hope, others have hope for us. And this year, I have hope for those that aren’t feeling enough hope for themselves.
Having the election behind us makes me hopeful. MOH received his first COVID vaccine and that makes me hopeful. And although we haven’t left this COVID problem behind us, I definitely can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
So I say to Everyone, Christmas is here! Hope is here! And if you’re still searching, help someone who is less fortunate than youself, and you will find it.
Merry Christmas Friends!
Once Upon a Willow 