Fact :

There is no right or wrong way to spend the holidays.

We are so sorry that you find yourself reading this – but we hope that it has provided you with some encouragement to help you through this season.

Life will never be the same without our children – we will never move on.

But… we will find ourselves moving forward in time, step by step, remembering our children and rejoicing in the beauty of their lives.

The holidays will be hard some years, but they will not be endless.

Time will pass quickly for some and slowly for others, but it will continue to move us forward.

We will find ourselves healing a little bit at a time and growing from what we have learned along the way.

The greatest holiday gift to give along the path of grief is grace ~

Allow yourself time to think and reflect – and cry if you need to.

Ask for help from others and reach out when you need it.

Try to forgive when those around you are careless with their actions or words and do not take your grief and feelings into consideration.

Those that do not understand – simply just do not understand.

Some never will, and some will learn with time and by trial and error the ways in which they can help you along this path.

Give them grace, even if they do not offer it in return.

Give yourself grace too.

Be gentle with your heart and your healing.

Rejoice in the memories!

There is no right or wrong way to spend your days this holiday season.

Just remind yourself that your life has value and matters just as much as your child’s, so look to fill your days with people and activities that comfort you and fill you with goodness.

Joy will return with time – one day, you will find yourself laughing, and it will bring you to tears simply because you truly felt the tender return of joy.

Until that day, hang in there my friend and anticipate healing.

It will come.

With love and hope from your friends at

Blue Water Hope