Navigating Grief During the Holidays

The holiday season has always been a time for joy, family, and togetherness. But this year, it feels so different. This is my first holiday season without my sister, Trina, and I won’t lie—it’s been much harder than I ever anticipated. Christmas was our last holiday together as a family before she passed, and now every twinkling light and familiar carol brings a wave of memories and emotions.

Trina and I shared so many joyful moments during this season. We laughed, we decorated, and we soaked in the magic together. Now, as I try to carry on with the traditions we loved, there’s an empty space that nothing can fill. Grief has made it hard to find that same sparkle, and some days, it feels impossible.

If you’re reading this and you’ve also lost someone, I want you to know it’s okay to feel this way. It’s okay if this time of year isn’t as bright or joyful as it seems to be for everyone else. Your feelings are valid—just as valid as they are every other day of the year. It’s important to give yourself grace and permission to grieve, even during the holidays.

For those of you who spend time with your loved ones this time of year, please don’t take these moments for granted. Hug your family a little tighter. Make those memories, take the photos, and cherish the time you have together. We never know what life has in store, and it’s these small, precious moments that we carry with us when everything changes.

This holiday season, I’m learning to hold space for my grief while also enjoying the magic of it all. It’s not easy, but I know she’d want me to find glimpses of joy, no matter how small. If you’re grieving too, I hope you can find those moments as well. And if your heart is full this season, I hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate the people who fill it.

We’re all doing the best we can, and that’s enough. Let’s hold each other close—whether in memory or in the present moment—and carry the light of love forward.