Did You Hear? It’s the most wonderful time of the year! – by Robyn Lea

This is the first in a three-part series by Robyn Lea talking about the holiday season.

Did You Hear?  It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

By: Robyn Lea

Part 1 of 3

We’ve all heard that saying often—it’s the most wonderful time of the year.  That may not be so true for some people.  In fact, it could be described as—the most stress-inducing time of the year!

This time of year, and all the craziness associated with it, brings about what I

consider—excess—too much spending, too much drinking, too many parties, too much worry—just TOO MUCH.

So, let’s just jump right in and talk about the dread that correlates to all this “cheer.”  There are so many people I start thinking about once the holiday season is upon us.  I wonder how they are doing.  I know they have lost people they love and how hard it is to forge through the holidays without everything the way it used to be.  This doesn’t apply just to those who recently lost someone—it seems to apply to most of us even if it has been decades since someone we love died.  

My husband’s first wife died on Christmas day ten years ago.  As you can imagine, Christmas is a tremendous struggle for him.  It wasn’t until eight years after she died that we decided to put up a Christmas tree.  We do the best we can to get him through the holidays, but it’s just hard.  No doubt, you’ve experienced something similar.

My dad died when I was eleven.  Christmas after that was never the same.  Does that sound familiar to you?  As you read this, I’m guessing you are remembering someone and struggling—trying to figure out how to get through this season.

I hope this collection of three articles will offer some insight, help and comfort for you!