We Tell it Like It Is

Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas & Happy Kwanzaa -- wow all three in the same week this year -- am I an idiot or does that not happen every year?

I celebrate Christmas and its one of my favorite holidays. But, its a holiday that brings on mixed emotions. This is how I feel this time of year:

1) Grateful. Incredibly grateful. I married a man that I love unconditionally and who loves me unconditionally. I am the most important person in his life (and vice versa) and he lets me know that every day. I married into a family that has become everything to me. I am so lucky!

2) Melancholy & Empathy. I have had some very sad Christmases in my life. Its not fair to feel sad, scared and hopeless during such a wonderful time of year, especially as a child. I know there are people every year that experience this and I hurt for them and I pray for them.

3) Loneliness. Although I have married into the best family in the world, I do miss having my own family around. The holidays remind us oftentimes of those that we have lost and I can't help but think about my mom, dad, aunt and brother and all of the Christmases we spent together and how strange it is to be celebrating without them now.

4) Hope & Strength. Each Christmas gets better and better for me. God uses this time of year to remind me of where I came from, where I'm at now, and where I can be headed. And who I can pick up & dust off on my way.

Happiness to all of my clients who are enjoying their first Christmas in their new home. To those of you having a difficult time this holiday season: I am praying for you. And to those of you I am still working with: let's get it sold man! :)