Sadness in the season of Joy

This time of year can be tricky. The very presence of celebration and tradition can trigger loneliness and can seem to highlight the empty places in our lives. I know. This morning I cried my way through carols as I sang with friends that I love. I was overwhelmed by sadness that hit out of nowhere. I couldn't honestly tell you that I have shaken that sadness off. But I will tell you that the family I have built helps me to breathe in the presence of that sadness. The hug of a friend, the assurance of a family member that it is okay to be sad, the little girl (not SO little anymore) who is always so glad to see me, all of these things are links in a chain that is my life preserver right now.

In our Advent Calendar, we are focusing on God as Abba or Father. Each day we are invited to do things that focus on our family, the one we are born into and the ones that we have built. In spending time together doing simple things we build memories. Those memories reap rewards down the road, and not only in your life.

This morning a friend of mine was talking about how much she loves her memories of playing cards with her grandma. Those little moments of watching her grandma hold cards with her special card holder, of the time spent together, live on in the time that my friend spends with her own children.

So take little moments this week to embrace the messy people, the silly ones, the blessed ones that are always late, even the Grinches in your life. Embrace them and acknowledge how your life is better because of them.

~Karlie