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Showing posts with the label holidays
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Blue Christmas: Hope for the Hurting During the Holidays The holiday season is here—twinkling lights, cheerful music, and the hustle and bustle of family gatherings. But for some of us, this time of year can feel heavy. Grief, loss, and loneliness may seem more intense against the backdrop of festive cheer. I get it. The world seems to expect joy and togetherness, but what if you’re not feeling that way? Maybe you’re missing someone deeply, especially at Christmastime. For me, it’s my mom. I miss her more than words can express. For others, it might be the loss of a spouse, a close friend, a child, or even a dream. We all carry different burdens, but they often feel heavier when everyone around us is celebrating. The Meaning Behind Blue Christmas:  You might have heard the term "Blue Christmas" before. For many, it brings to mind the classic Elvis Presley song about missing someone during the holidays. For others, Blue Christmas has come to symbolize the grief and sorrow that...
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Facing Thanksgiving Anxiety with Grace The holidays are supposed to be joyful, but for many, Thanksgiving feels like walking into a minefield. Whether it’s navigating awkward questions, juggling responsibilities, or trying to meet everyone’s expectations, the stress can steal the joy before you even sit down to eat. After my last post about the approaching holidays, several friends and blog readers reached out to share their struggles with Thanksgiving family gatherings. Many spoke of the anxiety that creeps in as they try to juggle everything: keeping a picture-perfect home, finishing the endless grocery list, catching flights, or navigating financial constraints. But the most common source of stress wasn’t the logistics—it was the conversations. Uncomfortable questions like,  “Are you dating anyone?”  or,  “When are you having kids—or more kids?”  can feel overwhelming. Then there’s the comparison game, where someone inevitably points out that one cousin who seems ...