Six years ago this October, my cousin, who I lovingly refer
to as my nephew, passed away.
Five years ago this October—the same day, but a year after
my nephew passed away, we found out my mom had cancer.
Needless to say, October 23 is nobody’s favorite day.
Nick died 2 months before Christmas. And Mom passed just 10 days
before this blessed holiday.
Mom had been in the
hospital and we made sure one of us was always with her. It was difficult with
two kids in school and one at home and being three hours away. But it was hard
for all of us kids. It was hard being away from our families, hard being away
from Mom. We all had our difficulties. But she only spent one night alone—and we
made sure that didn’t happen again. Still traveling back and forth, enduring
sleepless night after night, worrying until it caused physical pain--it all
took its toll. None of us had much time to decorate or shop—it didn’t matter. But
Christmas came anyway.
It didn’t matter that our hearts were broken. It didn’t
matter that we’d just planned a funeral and wrote an obituary. It didn’t matter
that at Christmas dinner there would be two gaping holes where loved ones
should be—Christmas came anyway.
Thank goodness it did.
I won’t lie and tell you of the amazing experiences I had
those years. They were hard. And painful. And I wouldn’t want to relive them. But
it was never more apparent than in those awful times WHY we celebrate Christmas.
It’s not just about that giant package under the tree. It’s not about finding the
prettiest Christmas tree. It’s not about a feast big enough for an army. It's about Christ.
Our loving Father in Heaven gave us the most precious gift—His
son. And because of that gift, I will have my mother back. I will see my cousin
again.
Yes, thank goodness Christmas comes—even when you’re
grieving.
No comments:
Post a Comment