Firsts

Holidays can be hard ... when gatherings reveal gaping holes.

This grief is not pure and plain like the way we collectively focused at the funeral. No, sorrow sneaks up as you realize there won't be buttermilk pie this year.

Where do we go for an unconditionally cheerful hug? Who will speak up to protect the peace? Who will insist on singing after supper?

Why bother getting together if they can't be with us … let's just wait for a better time.

In many ways we do wait for another time and another place. Heaven is better.

But we keep gathering in the meantime, trying to honor love and make the most of this earthly middle ground.

Stewarding the time we are granted by holding sadness and gladness together with open hands ... we keep going.

Allowing hope and peace to churn shared grief into gratitude and generosity.

Perhaps someone can greet with a hug of affirmation … even if it doesn't come naturally at first.

Surely, someone will be brave enough to offer a song with dessert … even if it feels awkward at first.

And maybe, just maybe, someone will venture through a recipe for baking a buttermilk pie … even if, for her, it is a first.

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"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4