Shadowed holidays…

My soul is weary with sorrow.

Psalm 119:28 (a) NIV

 My sorrow, when she’s here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be; she loves the bare, the withered tree; she walks the sodden pasture lane.

Robert Frost

The Daily Inspiration page usually features uplifting and encouraging blogs. Though if the page is to be meaningful across the spectrum of life, it’s important to acknowledge life’s losses and challenges as well as the positives. To honor those who are going through a tough season of life right now, today’s blog is for you.

As we enter the holidays, I’m reminded that it’s not necessarily a cheerful time for everyone this year. After losing a loved one a few years back, I found my first holiday season especially difficult. The warm memories of previous holidays were more bitter than sweet as a deep sadness tinged them. No more new memories, with that person, would ever be created. There was a constant awareness that the holidays, and indeed, life, would never be the same. Tearful moments alternated with times of comfort derived from being with loved ones. The joy of my family and friends was like balm on an open wound, but a wound nonetheless.

If you are navigating a tough time in your life this holiday season, be gentle with yourself.  Grieve the loss fully and well, but remember that there is only sadness because someone, or something, enriched your life in so many ways before. And remember to strive to see little joys every day, like encouraging sprouts of green, even in the winter of your soul. The darkest winter will always give way to the light of spring. Hold on to hope and love.