WHERE IS THE JOY?

As the holiday season is now well upon us, it is not lost on me that many of my Nuggets are hurting. While Christmas carols are playing everywhere and people are happily buying up gifts and making plans of how they will spend time with loved ones, it doesn’t seem quite fair. Many of you are suffering losses this Christmas that are so very heavy on your hearts.

Loss can take so many different forms. So so MANY different forms and all are as unique as each one of you and your stories. You may feel that no one understands, and, in some respects, I suspect that you are correct. NO ONE has walked in your exact shoes. However, how thankful I am that we have hearts that are open and ears in this beautiful “sisterhood” that are willing to hear your pain, validate it, and provide comfort. This community is full of women with arms wide open to encircle you with love and support in your grief.

-Perhaps your mom was wonderful and loving but is no longer alive. The Little Girl inside your grown up woman body longs for her scent, her touch, and her smile. If only you could just see her one more time. Your little heart breaks.

I SEE YOU.

-Perhaps your mom is struggling with mental illness and is unavailable on so many levels. The Little Girl inside your grown-up woman body aches because she just wishes it could be different than this reality. Your little heart breaks.

I SEE YOU.

-Perhaps your mom was abusive and left you scarred, unprotected, and feeling unwanted. The Little Girl inside your grown-up woman body is mad at her that she didn’t do what was RIGHT!

Your little heart breaks.

I SEE YOU.

-Perhaps your mom is hurting you even today with her actions and words. You wonder how it has gone on this long…years and years. The Little Girl inside your grown-up woman body wonders how it is even possible that Mommy STILL does this. You ask, “How much longer?? Will it ever stop?” Your little heart breaks.

I SEE YOU.

-Perhaps your mom is no longer in your life. You made the decision to protect yourself and your family. What a courageous act that demands to be applauded. The Little Girl inside your grown up woman body, however, isn’t clapping. She just wishes that her mommy was a good mommy like all the other kids. She’s sad and angry…why did it have to come to this?! Your little heart heart breaks.

I SEE YOU.

Your pain is so raw and real and deserves to be acknowledged. We have the most incredible privilege to share these burdens with each other here in this safe space and to receive the love that is racing toward you from your Sisters. THEY SEE YOU.

I encourage you to really jump into these forums and share and support, then share some more, and support again. These forums are a place to start connecting and building safe and loving friendships with people who have walked down the very familiar paths you have walked down.

Since we can’t be together as a family on Christmas, let me love you from across the states and reassure you that you are my treasure and MY BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT this year. I wish I could bring each and every one of you home and celebrate not only with you but celebrate YOU.

Oh, My Dearest Girl, may you truly know how deeply loved you are.

MM