Decades have passed since my infant daughter’s first Christmas. Baby Helen was only a month old when Christmas came. Because my husband and I were financially strapped, there were few presents under the tree, and most were for the baby. When I went to bed on Christmas Eve, I barely slept. All I could think about was the excitement of Helen’s first Christmas. After years of waiting, we were the parents of a newborn baby.

My mother-in-law’s friends were eager to see Helen, so I decided to have an afternoon gathering for them. I made the invitations with gift wrap, typing paper, and leftover ribbon. The wording read: On December _____ (I can’t recall the date), exactly at three, you are invited to come for tea.

All of the friends accepted the invitation. I set the little round table in the front window with the few good things I owned. I made finger sandwiches and cookies for the tea. As requested, the friends came on time. “Helen wakes up a little before three,” I explained. “That’s why I wrote what I wrote on the invitation.”

When Thelma, one of my mother-in-law’s best friends, walked in the door, she had a big smile on her face. She scanned our sparsely furnished living room, saw the Christmas tree in the corner, and the few presents beneath it. Thelma let out a large sigh. “I’ve found Christmas,” she said. I didn’t understand her comment at the time, but understand it now that I’m a grandmother.

A new baby is a symbol of hope. Presents symbolize the giving spirit of the season. The holiday makes us think about peace in our hearts and peace in the world. People of all faiths understand hope and joy and the need for peace. What I remember most about Helen’s first Christmas is the immense happiness I felt.

I’ve thought of the holiday many times and Thelma’s comment about finding Christmas. In 2007, after four family members died in succession, I thought of it again.

December 25th is approaching – another Christmas without my daughter. Though she won’t be physically present, she is present in my mind. I am grateful for having Helen in my life. I can still see her as a newborn, a toddler, a school child, a boisterous teenager, a young mother, a competent engineer and manager. Helen loved Christmas, especially the gift-giving part, and even though she had little to give, she always gave to others. In fact, Helen worked on Christmas all year.

Holidays are difficult for the bereaved, but they are especially difficult for those who have lost a child. The pain of grief is razor sharp and the journey can be so long you think it will never end. Yet we have the ability to find peace. Time, grief work, and grief writing helped me find peace, and may do the same for you. This year, more than any other, I am grateful for my loving family and caring friends. I am grateful for the Open to Hope community and wish you peace.

One thing is certain: My daughter wouldn’t want me to be sorrowful for the rest of my days. She would want me to enjoy every day of my life. Thelma found Christmas and I’ve found it too. The hope of a newborn, joy of the season, and joy of giving reside in all of us.

 

 

 

Harriet Hodgson

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelancer for 43 years, is the author of thousands of articles, and 42 books, including 10 grief resources. She is Assistant Editor of the Open to Hope website, a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists, Alliance of Independent Authors, Minnesota Coalition for Grief Education and Support, and Grief Coalition of Southeastern Minnesota. She is well acquainted with grief. In 2007 four family members died—her daughter (mother of her twin grandchildren), father-in-law, brother (and only sibling) and the twins’ father. Multiple losses shifted the focus of Hodgson’s work from general health to grief resolution and healing. She has appeared on more than 185 radio talk shows, including CBS Radio, and dozens of television stations, including CNN. In addition to writing for Open to Hope, Hodgson is a contributing writer for The Grief Toolbox website and The Caregiver Space website. A popular speaker, she has given presentations at The Compassionate Friends national conference, Bereaved Parents of the USA national conference, and Zoom grief conferences. Her work is cited in Who’s Who of American Women, World Who’s Who of Women, Contemporary Authors, and other directories. For more information about this busy grandmother, great grandmother, author, and speaker please visit www.harriethodgson.com.

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