This is often one of the hardest times of the year for many people. Even with all those lights, decorations, gifts, parties, and holiday festivities, there are plenty out there who don’t or won’t have this season’s cheer. It’s easy to overlook them with all those faces of joy that seem to be everywhere. But they’re there, right amongst you, yet sadly, they tend to regularly be overlooked.
So, as I ponder these days, the ones between Christmas and New Year’s, I find myself thinking a lot of those individuals, the ones who probably won’t have a smile on their faces or experience any type of cheer.
I think of those who have lost loved ones, including pets, who are experiencing life for the first time without them.
I think of those who are sick and ailing, bed-ridden in hospitals or other places of care, especially the ones who get no visitors, other than from their doctors or nurses.
I think of those who don’t have any family to be with, who will spend these days entirely alone.
I think of those who are homeless, who might not even have a warm bed to sleep in at night.
I think of those who are losing the battle to an addiction and can’t seem to find any way to stop.
I think of those who suffer from anxiety, depression, or other mental and emotional problems, who struggle to see even a ray of hope and instead see more blackness than light.
I think of those who are starving, barely having enough money to feed their family or even themselves.
I think of those who haven’t received a single gift from anyone, who end up feeling like they could disappear and it wouldn’t matter.
I think of those who cry themselves to sleep at night, feeling like they are utterly alone in this world.
I think of those who are getting abused, used, or being taken advantage of in any type of way, and continue to endure it hoping their nightmare will end.
And I think of those who are single and wish only to have someone to just love and embrace in their arms.
While I’m thankful for what I still have in this life, it’s all of them I think of through much of the holiday season, like I am right now. So, as I ponder all those who are going through it more down than up, filled with greater sorrow than happiness, I hope I can make a difference in one of their lives today. And maybe you will too after reading this, after all, there may come a day when you will be needing some love and support yourself, when life has handed you a burden and leaves you feeling anything but that holiday cheer…
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
