From Riches to Rags, and the Glory I Found There

As the last few days of 2021 come to a close I find myself in an almost constant state of contemplation over the happenings of such a tumultuous year. And I am amazed. At the start of 2021 we were gifted with funds to pursue fertility treatments. And, when those funds ran out, our community surrounded us and raised even more funds to support our dream of having another child. I cannot begin to tell you how incredible it is to see family, friends, and strangers donate to give us the opportunity to have a child. We were covered in prayers, encouragement, and hope by hundreds of people. Our hearts were humbled and our spirits were so very bright. We spent 8 years, after the death of our son, waiting for such an opportunity, and suddenly it was upon us. The glory of God was so very evident in how He laid out such magnificent works.  And I was amazed. When June started, John and I had already experienced a few vacations, some of our favorite holidays, and so much laughter and joy. Hope ...

I looked at the front of my house today, devoid of the Christmas lights that have adorned every home I've occupied for the past 13 years. And I thought "it's different this year". How different this season looks as widow. How different this season seems to a sibling who has lost a brother. How different this season feels for the ones who no longer have their uncle. How different this season appears to parents whose son is gone. I look at this Christmas season and I can see all the differences. All the lost moments. All the broken traditions. All the memories. All the grief. This year is different. So incredibly different. And we have had to face those differences at every turn this season. With every box of decorations that we unpacked. With every tradition that we've faced. With every string of lights that went unhung. With every problem that went unsolved.  We are all different this year. We are all changed. We all feel strange about this new season we are facin...