For most people, the holidays are a time of family appreciation, an endless shower of gifts and plenty of other types of fa-la-la-la's. For others however, it can be a time of intense stress and sadness. To all of you, you are not alone, and you will feel better. It probably won't be this year, or next year, or maybe not even the year after that, but eventually it will get better.

I had 20 Christmases that were filled with dozens of presents under the Christmas tree with endless laughs and excitement. I had two parents that loved me very much, and two brothers that were always there for me. Our family had plenty of rough times, but for whatever reason, those problems always seemed to be a distant thought on days like Christmas, where we were just thankful and happy to be together.

But in the blink of an eye, that was ripped away.

Now, the holidays are mostly just a chore. Christmas morning is now solemn and slow, and those of us that remain in the house just try to survive the day without losing our composure. So for anybody who just cannot find the strength to make it through the day, I promise it is there.

It may come in the form of a familiar object or a happy memory. It could be the smell of cookies, a small heartfelt trinket from your past, or the laughter of those who are still with you. Please just remember that the holidays are meant to be a time of love and appreciation, and that whoever is unable to share it with you would not want you to cry over their absence, but that they would want you to enjoy yourself despite the fact that there is a little void in your heart.

To fill that little hole in your heart, make sure you appreciate every gift a little deeper (and especially the person who gave it to you), hug a little tighter, laugh a little harder, and love a little stronger than you ever have. Please take nothing for granted and always remember that every holiday is the culmination of the years before, and that no one deserves to be sad on Christmas.

And for anyone who cannot understand this feeling of emptiness around the holidays, please be mindful of those who are tending and mending their wounds and broken hearts. Please love unconditionally and appreciate every smile and laugh and conversation you have with someone you love, because next year, you just might understand the pain that someone else is going through.

The holidays shouldn't be just a thing to survive, so please cherish each and every moment. And lastly, for anybody who will be crying in their bed Christmas morning, don't, because wounds heal and so do broken hearts, but Christmas is a time for love and happiness and appreciation. So gather around the Christmas tree and around the dinner table and lean on your grandpa's shoulder and hug your parents and take that picture with your siblings and laugh as much as you can. Take nothing for granted.

Nothing heals a broken heart like a Holly Jolly Christmas.