Holidays Approaching!

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enhanced-buzz-31796-1387830656-36-600x450I still can’t believe that December is coming to an end so soon and the holidays are quickly approaching us. I know this year has been pretty busy for me and there have been many changes, but it seems like we just celebrated the start of 2018 last week. Where did the year go?

I do think many people look forward to the holiday seasons because it gives an amazing opportunity to spend time with ❤ family and possibly friends, relax a lot more, enjoy life a477x246_holidays_closedjpg little and of course the time off from work is pretty fabulous! My office is actually closed the entire week of Christmas and doesn’t reopen until January 2, 2019! I have never experienced such generous time off from an employer for the holidays before and I must say I absolutely ❤  LOVE❤ it!

I realize on the other hand there are many people who dread the holiday season for their own personal reasons. Even though it has been many years now, there are some loses 3 snowflakes with namesthat still feel very fresh years later for myself and my family. It has been nine years since my husband’s dearly loved ❤ grandfather passed away, five years since my ❤ grandfather who I idolized passed away and four years since my husband’s loving ❤ grandmother passed away. Those that have passed away will live on in our hearts ❤ and souls for an eternity. Not only will we miss them with every breath we take, but 872989bc7fbe00c87e1318785e86011ewe will always stand true to honor their memories of ❤ love, courage, compassion and inspiration for as long as we possibly can. I know that I am not alone when I say this, but I would give anything to have just one more minute with any or all of these loving souls. The joy that would be felt from hearing their voices or a simple hug one last time would be priceless and cherished. 

I do think it is natural to remember those we lost even deeper around the holidays, butremember those in Heaven we should all also still remember to rejoice with the family we are still able to spend these days with. The funny thing is, we do not get to choose our family because they are just given to us and we must learn to accept them with their amazing qualities and even their flaws. I mean seriously, no one is perfect and we all have our own faults that may drive other crazy, so we really can’t judge another for similar situations!

Life is way too short to allow for any silly little altercations to break families apart, but sadly I do believe this happens far too often. I can admit that I have held onto hostility and anger with some in my own family for much too long. With the harsh realities that they won’t be here forever makes me try letting go of those unpleasant feelings and find neutralwhere there is love grounds. I know I have said this before regarding other issues, but we are all different and have our own uniqueness to us. I guess I believe that all of our unique behaviors and outlooks are what makes us special and like no other!

There are many wonderful things we experience with the holidays, but it tends to make me a little sad. I miss those that are not with us anymore, but I do appreciate the family I have with me still. The way I am able to make it through the holidays with limited tears is I always have to continue reminding myself that those we have lost and still with us in heart, mind and spirit and that they are not living with pain any longer.

Every year I always feel that Christmas has lost its true meaning. The stores are always full of shoppers spending money Christman is morethey might not have and buying products just because they are a hot commodity.  I feel that Christmas should be more about family and less about buying gifts! There are no gifts that can take the place of our loved ones. There are way too many people who struggle just to put food on the table and have a roof over their heads, while others rush the stores. In my job now I hear really sad stories that break my heart. Just yesterday we were working with a single mother that was going to be homeless today. Myself and two of my co-workers, one of which being my boss,  were trying to find a place that could offer her a roof over their heads and shockingly most were already full and might not be able to help until mid January. I was so sad for her and her 6-year-old child to suffer like this so close to Christmas. Thankfully, we did find an extended stay for them to go to, but I was still shaken by this. This poor little girl will wake up Christmas morning not expecting gifts under the tree, but wanting a bed to sleep in and food to eat.

Thank you so much for visiting my site today! I know this post was little longer than what I normally post, but the holidays get me a little emotional. I am looking forward to reading your thoughts and I do promise to respond as quickly as I can! I hope you are feeling well and your weekend has started off wonderful. Please know that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love ❤, comfort and many positive vibes!

My signature heart

❤Always, Alyssa❤

 

P.S I was trying something new with the link below and have no idea if this will work or not. Once you read this post, please let me know if this link actually showed or if I did something wrong with it!

 

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44 thoughts on “Holidays Approaching!”

  8. You are so right, there’s no gift under the tree that can fix pain or heartache or make up for loss loved ones. It can be such a tough time for a lot of people for a lot of reasons, and it’s important to remember that and reach out to others, to look out for each other if we can.
    I’m glad you have some decent time off to look after yourself and make the most of the festive season. I feel woefully behind but I want to get the ‘typical rubbish’ (wrapping, cleaning, etc) out of the way to take some time for quiet reflection and appreciation, because it all goes by in a blur and we can waste so much time on things that simply don’t matter that much in the grand scheme of things.
    Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas  ♥🎄
    Caz xxxx

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    • Thank you Caz. I have never thought lots of gifts under the tree were all that important. I have always thought about many others that struggle and wanted to be able to do something to make their holidays a little better. The first Christmas after my grandfather passed was so hard because I could only think of him.
      I am thrilled that I have so much time off from work. It helps not feel rushed around with family!! We only have to travel a short distance once and my mother and step father are coming to our house one of the days. I can’t wait for them to see our house!
      I hope you and you and your family have a lovely Christmas!!!

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    • Thank you Heather. Hearing what this family was going through so close to Christmas was so heartbreaking. I mean I feel bad for people like this any other day as well, but this child was at risk of not having a warm bed to sleep in at Christmas. I hope you and Dizzy have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!! xxx

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  11. Thank you for posting. This is the time of year when many people fall ill 😷 Right now I can barely get out of bed and am unable to leave the house. It started off as a cold but I can hardly swallow or breathe. My lungs hurt. Idk how I’m going to make it to the Christmas Eve party that my husband’s family hosts every year. My mom guilt tripped me into feeling guilty about my dying grandmother who desperately wants to see me, but I cannot make her sick too. Also, my family and I don’t get along and I haven’t figured out how to tell them that I won’t be coming back next year. I don’t need the toxicity from them. Sorry for this rant – I wish families got along but my parents and I don’t. I regret coming here and should have stayed somewhere else this Christmas. *sigh*

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    • You are very welcome Hilary. I am so sorry you are feeling so terrible right now, but I do hope you start improving. Mothers have a way of playing guilt trips on us, but please do not let it get to you. I am certain your grandmother would want you to take care of yourself and not get any worse. If you are unable to make it to the Christmas Eve party your husband’s family has, they will understand. Please think of yourself and do not push yourself. Your health is VERY important. No apologies needed! You can vent to me anytime you need to! I completely understand. Never hesitate to email directly either!!!

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      • I appreciate your reply. I saw your reply earlier but was so dizzy I fell back asleep. This feels like something more than “just a cold”. Been trying to sleep it off before the party tomorrow. Ugh, I wish I could bake!! Your recipes look amazing and have inspired me to add a couple recipes that I would typically make around Christmas time 🙂 even my mom felt bad for yelling at me yesterday and made some shortbread for me to give to the in laws.

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      • Under the edit section look for the paperclip icon. You can label the backlink with a title that will link readers to the site that you want. I’m not sure if that’s what you meant though.

        Maybe the sites aren’t working because it’s a private account that we can’t access? 🤔

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      • Thank you so much for your help Hilary! I am going to give that a try after Christmas. I doubt it was the site not working, but it was me not doing something right.
        I hope you are doing well and I hope things go well with Christmas, but remember to take care of yourself first!

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  16. Sorry I am so late with this, I have been unwell over the Christmas period and still not quite myself. No, you are not alone when you say that you would give anything to have just one more minute with any or all of these loving souls. After losing my Grandpa this year this Christmas was a very difficult and hard one for me. I have a small family too so it felt very quiet and alone but I guess it’s the happy memories of the time spent together that have to keep us going. I miss him so much. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. You are so lucky your workplace has given you some time off. I have had to take time off myself. Have a restful and peaceful break Alyssa.

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