The holidays have a way of stirring the heart in every direction—joy, thrill, gratitude, nostalgia, and for many of us, a deep and familiar ache. Whether the loss is recent or, like mine, stretches back to 2014 when I lost my daddy, the feeling doesn’t vanish with time.
People often say that time heals, but I’ve learned that time doesn’t erase the hurt—it simply carries us forward, giving us room to grow around it. The heart remembers, always.
There are so many conversations I wish I could still have with my dad—the advice I would ask for, the stories we would share, the comfort I know he would offer. And oh, how my heart longs for the joy I would feel watching him play with his grandchildren. Moments like that feel stolen, but the love behind them never fades. It stays, gently tucked into who we are.
The holidays tend to magnify all of it—the beauty, the love, and yes, the sting of missing someone who shaped your world. We each experience this season in our own way, carrying memories and emotions unique to our journey. And in whatever way you walk through this time of year, I hope you find space for love, laughter, joy, and most of all, a calming in your heart.
May the memories of the loved ones no longer here on Earth bring warmth instead of pain, knowing they watch over us as our very own guardian angels.
I am especially grateful for the cardinals that visit me—they always bring a smile and a soft sense of closeness to my daddy. It feels like his little way of saying, “I’m still here, sweetheart.” And in those moments, I’m reminded that love never leaves. It only changes form.
As we move through this season, may we hold space for both the joy and the tenderness. May we honor the ones we miss while embracing the love still around us. And may our hearts find peace, even in the memories that make them ache.
*Thank you Christopher Holcomb for finding and sending this candid photo of my parents. I cherish it deeply!
