Every year when I sit down to write this Christmas message, I’m aware of people I know who have lost family members or close friends, or people who are suffering through grief and difficulties. Life isn’t easy, and the holiday season often doesn’t make it any easier. We’re aware of the empty place in our lives, the person we’ve lost. While others are celebrating, it sometimes just makes that place more raw. It hurts more. The music and lights, the hurriedness, doesn’t help.

I have no beautiful words of comfort for those who lost a parent, a husband, a wife, a child, a friend. As I get older, I’m more aware of those losses throughout the year. And, I’m aware that even those whose families are together do not always have easy holidays. Sometimes, even that closeness is uncomfortable. I’m sorry. Please reach out to someone. Call a friend or a family member. Please don’t let that grief become overwhelming.

All I can do is hope that the holidays do rest easy on your hearts, as others have said. I hope you find moments of comfort, moments of quietness to acknowledge there is still beauty in the world, whether it’s a hug or a laugh or the sparkling eyes of someone who loves Christmas.

I hope you spend some time with someone you love. No matter what holiday you celebrate, or even if you don’t observe any holiday, I hope you find some peace and happiness this holiday season. As adults, we all know that love and peace and happiness are what we want to celebrate. We can acknowledge it’s a hopeful wish for all of those.

This Christmas, I wish you hope.

Merry Christmas!