“As I sit in heaven
And watch you everyday
I try to let you know with signs
I never went away
I hear you when you’re laughing
And watch you as you sleep
I even place my arms around you
To calm you as you weep
I see you wish the days away
Begging to have me home
So I try to send you signs
So you know you are not alone
Don’t feel guilty that you have
Life that was denied to me
Heaven is truly beautiful
Just you wait and see
So live your life, laugh again
Enjoy yourself, be free
Then I know with ever breath you take
You’ll be taking one for me…” ~ Anonymous

The Holidays are here and your emotions are all over the place. How do you deal? How do you put a smile on your face so that the ones that love you know you’re ok without worrying about you?

It doesn’t matter what year mark you’re at – the first year or the tenth year without your loved one during the Holiday season, it sucks. You watch as their life stopped and everyone else’s life moved on… you sat back and watched the days on the calendar fly into the wind, while you’re trying to figure out how to put one foot in front of another and then BAM the Holidays are here – and now you feel alone (or so it seems).

The Holidays are just never easy. However, this year take the time to do something for yourself, be proud of where you are at this moment, and cherish the moments you have on earth right now, because that is what our loved ones would have wanted. Never give up hope, live and embrace their memory and remember … you’re never alone, we are all in this together.

However, if you are having a hard time honoring your loved one – do the “Four Candles” – I did this on my first year and it was something that really helped my heart and somehow I felt Joshua’s presence and brought a sense of peace to where I didn’t feel alone.

Four Candles

As we light these four candles in honor of you, we light one for our grief, one for our courage, one for our memories, and one for our love.

The first candle represents our grief. The pain of losing you is intense. It reminds us of the depth of our love for you.

This second candle represents our courage. To confront our sorrow, to comfort each other, and to change our lives.

This third candle we light in your memory. For the times we laughed, the times we cried, the times we were angry at each other, the silly things you did, and the caring and joy you gave us.

This fourth candle we light for our love. We light this candle that your light will always shine. As we think of you each day and share your memory with our family and friends.

We cherish the special place in our hearts that will always be reserved for you.

We thank you for the gift your living brought to each of us. We love you.

We remember you.

Go out and Carpe the Hell Out of Diem you beautiful souls! You have a warrior spirit and am so grateful you are here. Have an amazing Holiday, not only for you but for your guardian watching over you.