As you know, I’m going into the holidays without my John. 

My Grief Share Group provided a Surviving the Holidays session and a book.  Fourteen weeks of Grief Share sessions helped me navigate this new normal. Our Lilies group at church also helped me to share with other widows. What a blessing both these groups are. One of the suggestions from Surviving the Holidays was to write a holiday grief letter.

Examples were not really appropriate for me.  I am doing well, most of the time. Support from my heavenly father, family, church and friends has been good.  I’ve enjoyed cooking and decorating the house and attending several parties.  However, I have had some real firsts lately:

• First time cooking for thanksgiving and – my favorite dish-washer not present
• First time – expert Cookie taster absent.  He loved cookies hot out of oven –
• First time making Peanut blossom cookies without my – Best will power – Hershey’s kisses peeler –
• First time –Gift wrapper missing.   –
• First time – no need to make his favorite birthday chocolate pie – no one liked the meringue but him anyway.
• First time – not  making caramel corn as soon as the weather turned cold.
  • Today this one hit me hard for some reason – First time signed my name on gifts –From:  Mom

Instead of Mom & Dad.

I’m probably going to cry a lot, usually in the choir – and possibly in the middle of your party.  My tears are necessary for my healing and recovery, so don’t be embarrassed by them.  Pat my shoulder, give me a brief hug, and let me know you are praying for me and that you are there.  Words are not necessary.

Thank you for caring about me and praying for me.  Your love and concern are a comfort. The presence of God is so real! He has been my constant companion and confidant.

Blessings for a Merry Incarnation (John’s favorite greeting at Christmas).

Jesus became “God With Us” as he is the incarnation of God.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

And a Happy – Blessed New Year.