Happy Thanksgiving 2025 to the Hurting 💓

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours. If you’re experiencing tremendous grief this holiday season, know that you’re not alone. Know that we all grieve on our own timelines. Know that if grief hits you like a tidal wave even if you’ve been “good” for a while that it’s okay, you’re normal, you’re human, you’re experiencing hurt and love simultaneously. It’s been a decade for me since my mom has passed and her presence is still missed every single year. Each year I fight the intern urge to be a total grouch and recluse. It’s lessened a tinge over the years but it’s still there, it still sneaks in. This smile on my face on this picture took YEARS to not be fake. By God’s grace I’ve found joy in the midst of the pain and the crazy of life. Remember joy and happiness are not the same, the joy of the Lord is our strength even when we’re not totally happy but clinging to our Savior for dear life as a lifeboat in the waves of grief and confusion as well as the every day life we still have to somehow pursue.

Happy Thanksgiving from my heart to yours - even if it doesn’t feel so happy. Even when angry, the one thing we can all be grateful for is the hope of eternal life thanks to salvation from our sins. Remember “it is finished” today and everyday. The death and resurrection on that cross means Jesus died yet rose in victory over everything in this earthly life. He took on our sins and walked this earth experiencing grief and human issues too. We have a high priest who sympathizes with us. So, in the midst of all today holds for you, and the temptation to put in that fake smile some of us have perfected so well. I encourage you to truly rest in the arms of Jesus  to reach out to the hem of his garment. Even if He feels so far away. Believe me, He felt so far away and I had a bone to pick with the almighty God. If you don’t have capacity for growth or socializing today because of grief or circumstances in life, I get it. Life be life’in a lot lately and I’m grasping for Jesus every day - I’m right there with you, sweet friend. Remember, your feelings are valid but they’re not always truth. I pray that in the midst of the pain you will have discernment and rest in our Heavenly Father even if you’re battling it out with Him right now. He’s a big God. He can handle it. He knows we are finite beings- He created us that way. There’s a lot we won’t understand until glory. You don’t have to feel super thankful this holiday or feel any type of way, just cling to Jesus to get you through and know that you’re not alone.

I’m thankful for you. Especially if you read all that! I’m thankful that you’re here. Thankful that you got to experience such a love that you will be grieving that will last til your final breath as well. Through the passing of my mom I’ve seen her love last in her spouse (my daddy who misses her every day), her parents, her brothers, nieces, and friends. If you’re hurting today, it’s a high probability that you’ve seen this kind of love too and I’m so thankful we’ve got to experience that in a harsh world. When you’re tempted to be bitter, remember the love of your person and the love of God.

May His Holy Spirit comfort you today and always.

Endure by His Grace today and always.

Love, a daughter who still needs her mommy.

Love, a granddaughter who misses her grampy calling her “Sugar Pie”.

Love, an animal lover who misses her pet family members too. (I started tearing up over my first mastiff love we had to put down in 2014 because of a tumor as I was browsing my mom’s Facebook photos. I didn’t know I still had those tears in me.)

Love, a great granddaughter who misses receiving the trinkets and love of her grandma.

Love, a great niece who misses making memories with an uncle that was like a second dad to my momma.

Love, a girl who hears stories of the loved ones who have gone before me and way too soon and misses someone she’s never met before (if that makes sense.)