The season…day(!) of cheer is here!
The definition of cheer that typically comes to my mind is a shout for joy, praise, whoop, hooray. Another definition for cheer is to give comfort or support and that meaning is what I’ve experienced this season…and day.
Friends who haven’t needed questions answered as much as they’ve needed to be here…with me. Friends who have been kind whether they agreed with me or not. Friends who have sent reminders of love via texts, phone calls, dropping off a meal (or two), flowers, sweets, prayers, chai/coffee, hugs…and spending time with me.
I AM so grateful for this form of cheer. I haven’t been able to shout for joy in these moments. I have been able to receive comfort and support. I AM able to fully receive now.
There was a time (in years past) when I didn’t know how to receive. I had grown accustomed to only being the giver. I was raised to be available to all in need. I was raised to not show any sign of doubt, fear, sadness or inadequacy. As I got older, I began facing all the reasons why…that brought many things to the surface and after sorting through, I began choosing transformation.
A piece of choosing transformation was that I began evaluating my relationships. I began noticing the spaces that were truly safe for me and I let myself simply/truly be me.
This season…and especially today, I hope you were/are able to let in the moments of cheer/comfort…to fully receive them. I hope you were able to have a happy Christmas and a merry holiday ~ not because everything is simply splendid, but because in our broken state, we are not alone.
My personal belief is that The Divine is broken with us and simultaneously whole for us…our sustenance, our Peace, our HOPE, especially when things are unexpectedly or dauntingly bleak. As we remember those who have gone on before us and those who have chosen to go on without us, may we find cheer/comfort in The One Who will never leave or discard us and because of Whom, we are forever LOVED and HELD.
Common Day Hero: Our friendship spans more than two decades! We have seen one another through some difficult, happy, unexpected and interesting moments. Always praying for, encouraging and loving one another…grateful for you. Corncurl, I dedicate this to you.