Holiday Memories

Each and every event in our lives is stored in little blocks of memories in our hearts and minds.

Often Christmas is a time of stored up memories and feelings of traditions and values, laughter and love, joy and peace.

But all too often we forget about those who have spent Christmas being reminded of what they do not have. All too often these blessed holidays are reminders of hard life changes and full of what we wish we could have or wish we could get back.

I am not speaking of this from a poor me pity stand point. I am speaking from a stand point that maybe this past Christmas was a realization that the life that we envisioned from advertisements and movies on TV do not exist. I am talking about the commercial moments of love joy and peace that are advertised and expected of everyone at Christmas and for some that is simply not reality.

I am talking to those who experienced Christmas from a “first” stand point. The first Christmas alone, the first Christmas divorced the first without a loved one who has passed away, the first without the money and presents that are usually the norm. These firsts are “suppose” to be the new beginning that feel like the end.

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I by no means have intentions of writing something that is morbid and sad but I do have intentions of writing from my heart and reaching out to others that did not have that Christmas Card Story Book Holiday and letting you know that it is ok – that having a hard holiday does not define you and your life. It does not determine what your year is going to be. All it determines is whether we enjoyed our holiday or not.

Life is hard and sometimes the difficulties sneak up on you and you come to a realization that the brush has painted another picture…one that you do not recognize and maybe one that you don’t like.

I challenge you to push past this Christmas memory if it was one that had you grin and bear it for the sake of your kids.

I challenge you to start fresh in this New Year and work towards love joy and peace. Not because you want to create that Christmas Card memory next year but because you want to feel good today.

Simply focus on today. Love yourself nurture yourself and give yourself a break sometimes life’s not all its cracked up to be but don’t let a rough holiday define you.

Create a definition of hope.

I pray these words encourage you if you have had a less than picture perfect holiday and I encourage you to live for today because yesterday is gone and who really knows what tomorrow will bring.