Although this season brings fun and festivities, many of our friends find it hard to feel joyful when their hearts are heavy with grief.
photo by Dr. Aletha
Whether from a recent loss, or one many years ago, grieving for the loved ones who won’t be here to celebrate with us can dampen our holiday spirit and lead to depression.
I remember my friends who tragically lost their teenage daughter in a car wreck just a few days before Christmas many years ago.
I think of my friend and her adult children who recently lost their husband and father.
I consider my newly married friend who is battling cancer.
Another friend is struggling financially due to the downturn in his oil producing business.
And my husband and I feel the loss of our parents and siblings at Christmas even after many years
As one friend wrote-
“This is my second Christmas without my husband. It has been tough, but also a reminder that God is the god of all comfort. That works for me. And… it is a reminder to pray comfort to anyone who has faced a loss of a loved one including precious pets. Loss from any source needs a comforting friend.”
If you know someone who needs a “comforting friend”, please take the time to reach out to them so they know someone cares and they are not alone.
Whatever your situation, you may find some helpful suggestions in this article from the WebMD archives
My family and I wish you all health and wholeness in body, mind, and spirit.
Love from Dr. Aletha and Raymond
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A couple’s first vacation in Cancun takes an unexpected turn when their friend falls ill. Despite the tragedy, the husband insists they go in his place. The trip proves to be a wonderful, bittersweet experience, filled with love, stories, and cherished memories. It’s a tribute to friendship and the enduring spirit of those they’ve lost.
updated August 2, 2024
My husband and I had traveled to Mexico on mission trips but never for a vacation. Our friends, “George and Emma, owned a timeshare in Cancun and graciously invited us to share it with them on their annual visit. They purchased it many years ago, and celebrated their wedding anniversary there. We appreciated their generosity and began planning the trip.
A few weeks later Raymond received an email from George with detailed instructions on booking a flight to Cancun, how to get a reliable taxi to the condo, and other information. Since the trip was still 9 months away we were surprised, but knowing George is a planner, thought nothing else about it.
Not more than a couple of weeks later, we received chilling and scary news. George was ill; we didn’t immediately learn details, but apparently, it was something bad. And indeed it was.
We soon learned that he was diagnosed with an advanced cancer, that chemo could slow, but not cure. We were heartbroken for our friends.
We assumed the trip was impossible; obviously neither they nor we would go. However, George the planner had other ideas.
We went to visit them and after we sat down and were comfortable George looked at Raymond and said, “I won’t be able to go to Cancun, but I want Emma to go, and I want you and Aletha to go with her.”
They showed us a photo of the condo, in a beautiful beachfront resort. It looked lush, luxurious, and inviting, a stark contrast to what they were facing.
We didn’t know what to say; what do you say to a request like that? We didn’t want to upset him, so we just said yes, both of us silently wondering if it was the right thing to do.
George was correct, he was not able to go to Cancun; he died a few weeks after our visit. We attended a memorial service for him; it was not a traditional funeral but a celebration of his life. Soon after, Emma contacted us and confirmed her intention to go on the trip and wanted us to go with her.
So we did and had a wonderful time. Emma was a gracious hostess, making sure we were comfortable, taking us to nice restaurants, and ordering food delivery on a rainy evening. Having been there many times, she did not want to sightsee with us but sent us out to visit the interesting local sites that she knew we would enjoy.
Cancun Mexico sites
the Maya pyramid at Chichen Itza
Over meals she charmed us with stories of her life with George, their children, and grandchildren, pastoring a church, and fostering more than 30 children. And she listened with understanding and unconditional acceptance as we shared some of the dark griefs that we have walked through, which we have shared with no one outside our family.
the Chichen Itza pyramid up close
George and Emma are people who love God and express that love by caring for each other, their family, and everyone else they meet. That week we were the fortunate recipients of that love too. In some ways, it felt like George was there with us .
Cathedral of San Gervacio in Valladolid
Taking a tour of a local “resort”, we almost thought we should buy a timeshare there. The salespeople were persistent but we resisted their pressure and left with our money intact.
in a cenote, an underground lake
Mayan crafts
watching our waiter preparing a flaming strawberry dessert
We all enjoyed this dessert on our last evening there. Perfect finish to an enjoyable and special vacation.
Making new memories
Several years later, Emma met a nice man, “Glenn”, whose spouse had also died. Like Emma and her late husband, they had children and grandchildren and had pastored churches. After a time of getting to know each other, they soon realized their friendship had turned into love, Glenn proposed, and they were married.
Their wedding was a casual affair, more of a party than a formal ceremony. Everyone who attended said it was the best wedding they had ever attended.
In place of a wedding cake, they served ice cream sundaes.
sharing the HEART of friendship
While in Mexico, I used Frommer’s travel guide for information about the Cancun area and found it helpful and easy to use (this is an affiliate link that can help support this blog when used to purchase; thank you)
I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.
Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.
I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.
watercress words by Dr Aletha 