This holiday finds Pen & family doing OK on the DS/DIL front...we'll see them on The Day, and I'm grateful for that. I'm working on not comparing my situation with many of my friends who get more time and jolly togetherness w/their brood, and I'm actually enjoying these days with just DH. What a change from a couple of years ago!
However, it's an emotional time of year for many reasons...recent devastating events, the stress and overload of commercial stimuli, expectations we put on ourselves, baggage from the past, etc. My heart breaks for those who are struggling this year.
We must be kind to ourselves. We must find a moment in the day to be gentle, loving and accepting of ourselves with all our lumps, bumps, and bruises. It could be a moment of reflection or something more tangible like enjoying a cup of tea or getting a manicure. We've been through a lot, many of us...we'll likely go through a bit more before we're done. We need to give ourselves a hug.
Yes, Pen! Hugging me fiercely and all of you, too! :D
Well said Pen!