Holiday connections

Holidays can be joyful occasions and they can also elicit despair. I don't know why both extremes fit with the Yuletide season, but it seems to be the case.

For many years, I battled depression during the holidays. It didn't matter that I was busy or very connected to my community. I missed being in southern Georgia. I wasn't able to understand this until yesterday when I realized that I've been depression-free in December ever since we moved south in 2005.

I wish I'd understood this sooner. I think if I'd realized the root cause of the problem I could have dealt with it sooner, but sadness just seemed to be part and parcel of the holidays for me.

This year, we walked to the family cemetery after our holiday meal and put a poinsettia on Daddy's grave. That simple act of giving lightened my heart greatly and caused me to think about connections.

It can be a chore to stay connected with folks. To me, that's the true challenge of the holidays, to nurture that special connection with family and friends. I don't claim to be the best at this, but I truly value all of my correspondence, especially during the holidays.

Blessings and holiday wholeness to everyone!

Maggie Toussaint
http://www.maggietoussaint.com/
No Second Chance - releases in digital format Friday!