Not All Holidays Are Happy

As we navigate the waters of life…for many of us the holidays are a joyous time…we smile and say, "Let the joy begin! " But for others, who are remembering someone they lost…the holidays are when sorrow comes flooding in. The flood waters begin to rise as they are reminded of a death… and they wonder, "How long will I be underwater? How long do I have to hold my breath? " And though they know, in their hearts, like all other floods…this one, too, will end…they, once again, begin to wonder…if their broken heart will ever mend. As they swim in the memories of the person they miss…the person they loved…and needed…they wonder how will they repair the damage…once the waters have receded. But they will rebuild the say way they always do…each time there is a flood…each time they are reminded of their pain…by starting to notice the little things in life that make them happy…like the sky after a rain. Like how sunlight paints the dawn…like the beauty in a drop of morning dew…and when they begin to hear the laughter of family and friends…they know they'll make it through… There is no time limit on sadness…and it may take a while….but eventually they begin to remember…all those things that make them smile. And the more they remind themselves of the pleasures in their life… the less they think about the pain… a skill they will find useful… when the waters rise again.