As the first Christmas without Terry descended upon us, I was considering it with dread. I knew there will be many memories and therefore emotions triggered, and based on how Thanksgiving hit me with an unexpected sledgehammer, Christmas will only be worse right?
What I didn't expect was the comfort my decorations have given me. When I pulled out my Christmas tree decorations, it was like reuniting with old friends "well hello Holly Hobby" you've been with me for 45 yrs,
oh hi my sweet Angel that dad painted for me when I was 2 or 3.
"Welcome my friends" as I pull out the Nativity I've put up for 10 yrs.
"Oh I've missed you!" to the stockings my mom crocheted for us all.
And our Christmas tree stumps tell of the progression of our lives together as a family.
They've been an oddly stabilizing force to me this season and I found myself comforted a little in my sadness, like a warm blanket wrapped around me of love and history and support as we journeyed through this first Christmas Season without Terry. With this comfort, I was able to continue through the tears on my journey of sadness and gratefulness. I pray you too were able to find some comfort as part of your holiday season this year.
