Right now my little family and I are in Seattle to celebrate the holidays. As I think about this time of year, I know it brings great joy for many, but also much loneliness and heartache to others. 

A few weeks ago I was standing in our kitchen surrounded by my hubbies’ family and someone made a comment about eating out on a holiday…I quickly responded that none of the good restaurants are open.  My brother-in-law curiously asked, ‘how would you know’? 

“Because we tried. When it was just me and my dad, one Christmas we didn’t have anywhere to go so he tried to take me to a nice dinner except after our third empty parking lot we realized it wasn’t going to work. We ate our Christmas dinner at Denny’s.” There was silence. It was as if they’d all forgotten my life hadn’t always been like this. 

And then I got lost in my thoughts. Remembering lonely times of my childhood. Thinking about how my children will never know what that feels like…in part, I feel beyond grateful to know this but I have also come to realize and appreciate that it was in many of those moments that I became who I am today. 

Since that conversation, I’ve been thinking about those who are going through heartache and loneliness during this time where it is amplified by the season. My wish is for you to know that the true meaning of the season is hope. Hope is not a gift you have to wait to be given, you can give this gift to yourself.  

BElieve THEre is GOOD… Be the good. My favorite truth about this life, is choice. We can choose. I get to choose. You get to choose. 

You may not be able to choose your circumstances or what will happen next. We do not get to choose when heartache or tragedy will strike but we can choose what we will do next. 

Let’s choose to be the good we want to see in this world. 

Let’s choose to fill empty spaces in our hearts with those who need love and mercy more than we do.

Let’s choose peace instead of strife, hope instead of despair and love instead of resentment. 

I wish you hope, peace and love with all that I now have to give! 

xoxo!
Leah