Uncompromised

The Quiet Ache in the Crowd It’s been a while since we caught up, my last post was back on March 17! A lot has happened since then, as I spent the last few weeks in Brazil visiting family, wandering through vibrant markets, and soaking in the incredible specialty coffee and cafe culture of São Paulo. I'm still a big city girl in the heart, and I confess it was refreshing! I have so many beautiful stories and pictures to share from the trip, but we'll save the travel journal and the local cafe finds for a separate post soon. Getting back to the quiet reality of our everyday lives, though: we have never had more ways to reach across the globe, yet we have never felt so far away from the person sitting across the table. I was sitting in my favorite booth at a local cafe the other day, nursing a warm matcha latte, watching the room fill up with people. It’s a familiar scene, everyone together, yet remarkably alone. So many times, a person is surrounded by a crowd and still feels co...

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 tha...