The holiday season is often painted with broad strokes of vibrant red and green, sparkling lights, and the joyous clamor of celebration. But for many, December also ushers in a different kind of quiet – a reflective blue and grey, illuminated by a flickering, solitary flame. This is the world Otto Hesselbom invites us into with his profoundly moving 1896 masterpiece, Christmas Eve at the Grave  ( Julafton vid graven ). You might not know Hesselbom by name, but his work, deepl

Dedication: I dedicate this blog to my best friend, Gwenna White Maddox. She and I had the challenging and painful experience of burying a parent on the same day in 2023. For both of us, we navigated the waters of caring for two elderly parents. I am still caregiving for Mama, now in year 12 of her dementia journey. Gwenna, I love you , and I took some of the best things we learned on our journey as caregivers, and I hope this blog helps someone. I love you, Bestie. Holidays

The holiday season often brings warmth, joy, and connection. But for parents who are victims of the No Contact movement, this time can feel isolating and painful. When relationships with adult children are suddenly cut off, the holidays may highlight the absence and stir deep emotions. Finding ways to care for yourself during this challenging period is essential. This post offers compassionate guidance and practical self-care choices to help parents move through the season wi

Dedicated to Henry Browning, this is based on real events in your Grandfather Browning's Christmas. The time and setting have changed, but the spirit and story are the same. The most important lesson I ever learned didn't come from a textbook or a sermon; it came from a stack of small, green paper squares and the steadfast faith of my Granny Holman. Even now, in my sixties, I can still see those stamps perfectly—each one bearing the distinctive S&H logo, a tiny token of long-