🌟 When the Holidays Hurt: A Gentle Word to My Fellow Grieving Moms

 Carrying light, even through the hardest seasons.

The holidays arrive with sparkle and cheer, but for moms who carry grief in their hearts, this season can feel unexpectedly heavy. If the lights and music bring more pressure than joy, you’re not alone. I’m right here with you—and God is even closer.

A Different Kind of Holiday

Grief has a way of touching everything—our traditions, our rhythms, even the small moments we once took for granted.

This year, my own holiday will look different. My mother passed in October, and her absence is already shaping how this season feels. I still catch myself wanting to call her… ask about recipes… or talk about decorations. But silence answers back, and I’m learning to breathe through it.

Maybe your holiday has changed too. Different doesn’t mean wrong—it simply means life is shifting, tenderly and honestly.

God Meets Us Where It Hurts

Even in sorrow, God has a way of letting hope slip in.“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” — Psalm 34:18

He doesn’t wait for us to feel strong. He draws near right where the ache lives. Sometimes comfort comes quietly—a scripture that settles the heart, a memory that brings a soft smile, or a moment of peace that slips in without warning.

If the lights feel dimmer this year, remember: dim light still shines. And so do you.

Give Yourself Permission

This season, give your heart grace to:

• rest more

• do less

• Say no when needed

• adjust old traditions

• create new ones

• honor your child’s memory

• honor your own healing

Your tears are not a weakness; they are proof of deep, enduring love.

A Word Just for You

Sweet mom, if the holidays feel heavy, breathe this truth in:

You are not alone. You are held. And you will make it through this season with God’s steady grace.

As I walk through my first holiday without my mother, I’m taking gentle steps, trusting God’s peace to carry me. And I’m praying the same peace surrounds you—quietly, faithfully, lovingly.

You are seen. You are loved. And even now… Hope is finding its way to you.