Christmas Grief

Quote from "Coming Home To Myself" - Marion Woodman and Jill Mellick

Once you have explored the depths,
don't wallow in them.
It's not only boring,
it's destructive.
Let grace enter.
It brings with it
a new understanding of love.

We are all more vulnerable at Christmastime. Maybe that is because our hearts are more open at that time - as our hopes and expectations for love given and love received get intermingled with our plans for a merry or not-so-merry Christmas.

It is made even more difficult when someone we love can not be with us - whatever the reason. My granddaughters, at the ages of 21 and 22, are facing their first Christmas without their mother. One of the pitfalls of working as far north as you can get, and not being able to get time off at Christmas. The oldest girl has admitted to unexplained tearfulness the last couple weeks that she does not understand. I told her it is grief - the sadness of knowing that her mother will not be here with them this Christmas.

They will be spending Christmas with me, their uncle and his new bride, and lots of extended family. There will be lots of gifts, lots of food, and lots of Christmas merriment. But those of us who are older know, from past experience, that the girls will have to make a conscious effort to take part in, and enjoy, the festive season.

That "grief pain" will definitely be a part of this Christmas season for them - but it doesn't have to be all of it.