For those of us that have experienced the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be difficult. Holidays sometimes serve as a reminder of that person, knowing our loved one isn’t with us anymore. This is especially the case for me. Having lost my Nana the day before Christmas Eve, holiday music puts a pit in my stomach. Although I lost her years ago, the memory of her is especially there at Christmas.
Unfortunately, I think many people feel the same as I. The holidays are a time when friends and family come together to create new memories while remembering old ones. We often become melancholy wishing our loved ones were still with us. I believe you can either look at the glass of life as being half full or half empty. I look at the glass half full realizing our loved ones never left, they are still with us but in a different form. Instead of us watching them, they are now watching us.
Whenever I see a penny on the ground it reminds me of my Nana. Growing up she told me pennies on the ground with their heads facing up are little signs from our loved ones in heaven. It is a little reminder they are looking at you from up above. She taught me the importance of small gestures. I had no idea how much those little gestures would mean to me until I lost her. I’ve noticed every time I have a hard day, I know she is watching over me because when I look down there is sometimes a penny. By looking at the glass half full I am celebrating her life by carrying on the lessons she taught me.
My Nana is not the first person I cared about that passed away. Nor will she be the last. I now consider myself lucky to have known these people during their lifetime. I am grateful of how these people have impacted my life. It is because of these people I know that I have more than one guardian angel. I know when I am going through stressful times and I see a penny on the ground, I have a team of cheerleaders in heaven rooting for me.
It is because of my guardian angels I am able to pick myself back up when I am down. It is because of them I have the courage to push forward. It is because of them I know I am never truly alone.
It is because of the holidays I am grateful to have known these people. It is because of the holidays I celebrate the lives of my guardian angels.
