Silver Boxes of JOY!

Christmas can be hard for some. I know it has been hard for me for 6 years now since my sister passed away on Christmas day. Each year out from that Christmas gets a little easier in ways and a little harder in others. It just hurts when someone you love isn’t in your yearly celebrations anymore. We have all experienced this in one way or another, right? Everything is different and in ways it seems wrong to celebrate without them. I’ve lived it! I totally get it!

Me, Andy, Peggy, Cindy, Sherry, Bill 1965

When I was very young my oldest brother got married and he and his family eventually moved away from our home state of Ohio to southern California. I remember Mom being so depressed during the holidays every year because of the people that were not there with us to celebrate. I understand as a mom that that is very hard. But she let it consume not only her own happiness but the happiness of everyone that was still gathered around for the celebration. As a child I remember feeling as though I was not enough, that the rest of us kids were not enough. So when I was around 10 years old I made a vow to myself that I would never ever do that to my kids or loved ones. That I would be happy being with the people that the Lord had placed around me, in the moment and truly happy!

Our three Oregon Kids, granddaughter, grandson and girl friend, 3 in law kids, and Family friends 2022

This year we made a huge move. We sold our beautiful home in Oregon, packed up most of our belongings, and just moved to Florida! I know this Christmas will be hard. I still grieve the loss of my sister who made Christmas such a magical time for everyone. I will miss our Oregon children, grandchildren, in law children, and life long friends! Our traditions will all change as we leave behind Christmas morning opening gifts in our daughter’s beautifully decorated home with our older grandkids, and dinner with all of our Oregon kids, their spouses, and close friends to make new ones with our Florida son, his beautiful wife and our 5 grand children. Nothing will be the same, and that will be difficult.

I have chosen to rejoice in this change, to embrace it. To find the “silver boxes of joy” that are all around me. Not to ignore or deny the ache inside but to take every thought captive and not let it overshadow the joy set before me. I refuse to carry that ache into my Christmas celebration or let it make anyone that is around me now feel like they are not enough. Or that I wish that I was with someone else. Because it simply isn’t true!

Our Son Leigh, wife Emily and our 5 Florida grandkids with the whole Suchy family (Daughter in law’s family) 2023

We are truly so very blessed. Our Four grown children, in law children and our seven grandkids all love us to the moon and back and love spending time with us. Some now by telephone, video chat, or texting, others now in person. It used to be the other way around. We are still with family and friends who love us. God is still the center of our lives and we celebrate that with joy this Christmas and every day of our lives.

If Christmas is going to be hard for you this year, it’s ok to not be full of cheer and to be sad. But I do encourage you to be present, not fake, with those that you do have around you this year. Love on them with every ounce of energy you have, and allow them to love on you too. Let the ache fade for a while and embrace the joy of the season. Let God love on you through those around you.

May the God of ALL Comfort and Joy bless you this Christmas with silver boxes of your own.