Not afraid to cry

Our Daily Bread
I found a silly birthday card last year.  I haven't had the guts to give it to anyone yet.  On the outside it says: Be careful if a guy comes up to you while you are out celebrating your birthday and says "I am not afraid to cry".  On the inside it says "Good, because I am not afraid to hurt you!".  Wow!  I thought about sending it to an old flame, but that didn't seem appropriate!

Many things in our lives can cause us to tear up. I know I hate those Hallmark special commercials on TV!  I am a tender-hearted bear that is touched by these special programs.  When it comes to more serious things that cause tears, it is good to know that tears are just an earthly phenomenon!  When we are with God, there will be no more tears.  No more sorrow.  We will be with him in his glory!  Amazing!

Lord, thank  you for your promise of no more tears!

Wellness Wednesday
Emotional wellness during the holidays
I had several friends talk to me about how difficult the holidays are for them because of the loss of friends and family.  I, too, have experienced the loss of several folks that I used to spend time with during the holidays.  I want to offer a few things that might possibly help.

1. Acknowledge your feelings.  Knowing yourself and your feelings is the first step to emotional wellness during the holidays.
2. Talk about your feelings with friends who can relate.  Almost everyone has experienced loss.  Talk to some close friends or a religious leader about it.
3. Do you best to deal with the feelings and move on.  I am not suggesting "forget about the folks you miss".  I am saying that the feelings do not have to debilitate you during the holidays or any other time of the year.  You are strong.  You can deal with this successfully and in a healthy manner!
4. Acknowledge and keep special traditions.  I try to do some of the same things each year that I did with my grandparents.  The things include making homemade buckeyes with the family recipe.  Using my grandmother's recipe when I bake a ham or make mashed potatoes.  I also think of my grandfather whenever I see a bag of mixed nuts.  We used to pick out the hazelnuts, crack them and eat them together.  Remember the special times and share them with other friends and family.

You can do this.  Have a healthy holiday season!

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Let go, my friends!  God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!