Is it okay to have a pity party for yourself?  Yes, go for it but make it a brief party and don’t draw it out.  Christmas without your loved one will tire you out – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Just below the surface of your calm is a tired and angry person that threatens what little control you may have over your emotions.  As widows we need to acknowledge all of our feelings - the good, the bad and the pitiful.

It is Christmas and we widows cling to the past essence of the holidays, that had always brought joy to our hearts.  But on the other side we want to have a pity party.  Let’s be honest our holidays have definitely changed and we are so very lonely without them. With all the strength you can gather, the holidays will proceed – with family, food and gifts.

But faith is what help guided me through and helped me realize that each and every moment is sacred, another memory to cherish.

The truth is that not one of us – not a single person – knows for sure that this is not our last Christmas.

With my children and grandchildren I will be mindful of each and every moment.  This Christmas will create special memories for them when my time has passed.

It has changed but I’m still here and so are my family and friends.  There are many blessing to be thankful for, not the least is our own health and our future life as we heal and learn to be happy.

To Our Shared Journey,                                                                                    Mary Francis is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®,  Certified Law of Attraction Facilitator,  Early Intervention Field Traumatology (EIFT) and Author/Founder of “The Sisterhood of Widows”