ThirstyFountains

     I do not know about you, but I am grieving a few people this Christmas. It can be hard to be a part of the Christmas spirit. My advice is to take time to grieve and be alone. However, I suggest that one should spend time around others so as to prevent feelings of loneliness. I know that in a room of people, one can feel alone... So try to talk about memories of the individual(s) that you are missing. Keep them alive in your hearts and minds this Christmas. I will personally be making a stocking for someone I lost only recently; family members will put memories of the individual that they have written down on paper inside. That way, on Christmas, we will be able to revisit times when he was with us.       Sometimes, feelings of guilt can creep in. "How could I have forgotten him this Christmas?" "Why am I here, while she is not?" "Will I ever be able to be happy this time of year again?" Do not let those feelings steal your peace....

        If someone stepped into her room they would see a girl's form lying on her bed. If they had stopped long enough to view her more closely they would have seen a tear-stained face, surrounded by medium brown hair that spilled over her pillow. Her pillow was a brown plaid that held the words "Live," "Laugh," and "Love" on a piece of burlap. Now, did she feel like living? Absolutely; but right now, she wanted to rest her tired soul and body. Was she laughing? Of course not; horrific images tormented her. Last, but certainly not the least, did she love? Awe, the poor thing spent her days trying to make one laugh, comforting another, or serving one more. She loved as fierce as one could hate! Sometimes, it physically hurt when she was rejected that love. She felt the pain most in her heart and throat. Such pain, she could not describe except to say that it felt like a vise-like grip that threatened to consume her if she did not persevere. So she d...