A Reminder of Who You Are…
Several months ago, I sat at the kitchen table willing myself to fill out a card I had just picked up from the grocery store.
The situation was such a tender one, I had no idea what to even say, much less how to even start.
Despite having a gift of encouragement and years of training dealing with extremely difficult situations both professionally and personally, I couldn’t come up with a single comforting word.
There is no script or playbook for life-altering events.
Each situation is as unique as the people they impact and more times than not, the ripple effects from the fallout last for decades.
I’m almost embarrassed to say, I held off sending the card for so many weeks it started to feel uncomfortable.
The usual casseroles and cakes, flowers and plants, and self-care gift baskets were not appropriate. Phone calls seemed to be a bother, text messages an annoyance and this was not a subject you would want to talk about on a coffee date.
Still, the situation wasn’t something to be ignored either and time was of the essence.
I finally sat back at the kitchen table, opened the card, and offered the only words that came to mind. I reminded the recipients of who they are.
As we head into the holiday season, it felt important to share a similar message with you.
I know some of you will be walking into homes and events filled with boundless love. You’ll be greeted at the door with hugs that smell like cookies and more kisses than your cheeks can hold.
Soak up every ounce of this joy-filled magic you possibly can – those moments are a true gift – meant to be cherished and savored.
For those of you who have trouble even opening the car door to walk inside because the situation already feels anxiety laced and overwhelming, or you look around the table see empty chairs and experience the loss all over again, or have taken the high road so many times it’s starting to feel lonely, or are hosting for the first time while scrolling Instagram and feeling like you’re not enough, I want you to take these words to heart as I remind you who you are.
You are…
*loved
*treasured
*forgiven
*valued
*called by name
*set apart
*appreciated
*not defined by the labels others place on you
*more than the numbers in your bank account, your zip code, your social media profiles, or your scale
*not alone
*courageous
*capable of great things
*an influence to those people who have been placed on your path
*stronger than you know
*not confined to your current circumstances
*enough
*not forgotten
*worthy
*more than your past choices
*allowed to build a family with people not biologically related to you and to start your own holiday traditions too
*seen
*created for a purpose
*filled with special gifts and talents
*1 in 7.9 billion
*a miracle
As we welcome people into our homes and into the intimate parts of our lives, I want us to remember our words have the power to lift people up or to tear them down.
You never know what people are really going through, so choose your words wisely.
If you’re lucky enough to be spending the holidays with people you love, you’re already richly blessed. Don’t forget to pass that love onto others.
After all, they just might need to be reminded of who they are this holiday season.
With gratefulness,
CoCo
♥
Hope your day is a special one, Lee! Hugs, CoCo
Coco,
Thank you for your lovely words. Your understanding of the human spirit even with all it’s flaws, is truly inspiring and makes one pause, take a breath, and realize things will be ok. I wish you and your family a very blessed Thanksgiving.
Colleen Meese
Such a sweet and thoughtful comment, Colleen. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! I hope you and your family have a joy-filled holiday season and a richly blessed Thanksgiving celebration, CoCo
Coco, I can’t tell you what your words have done for me! I am grateful for them and YOU! I plan to share your thoughts/words with a 28 year old widow who is really struggling. I KNOW they will bring her comfort. Thank you!!!
That means so much to me, Patty, thank you! I need reminders like this myself all the time. Especially, when things feel overwhelming and stressful. Hope your week is filled with all good things. Sending you tons of hugs and lots of love, CoCo
Thank you for sharing these amazing words of encouragement, they truly are a gift given at the perfect time. I hope you have a lovely week surrounded by your amazing family.
You are so welcome, Heidi! With all the hustle and bustle of the season, reminders like these are always a good thing. I take them to heart myself! Sending you tons of hugs for a holiday season filled with amazing gifts, CoCo
Amen!
So glad this post resonated with you, Susan! Hope your week is a special one. I can hardly believe the holidays are already here. Hugs, CoCo
Beautifully written. Thank You, Thank You, ThankYou.
You are so very welcome, Rebecca! I hope your day is a special one. Hugs, CoCo
Beautifully said CoCo <3
Thanks so much, Lisa, I really appreciate it. Hope your week is filled with all good things. Big hugs, CoCo
CoCo,
No matter what you think, you always say the sweetest, kindest, most heartfelt things. Thank you. Vee
You are so good to me, Vee, thank you! I’ve appreciated your thoughtful comments and encouraging words so much over the years. I hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving! Big hugs, CoCo
This is lovely. Thank you.
PS: since it’s Thanksgiving week, here in the United States, I want to take a moment to say… I am grateful for you… for your gentleness, approachability, honesty, and vulnerability. I’m excited every time I see a post from you in my Feedly feed!
You are always so sweet and thoughtful, Corrie, thank you! Feedly definitely keeps me organized – it’s such a great app 🙌 I hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving celebration and holiday weekend too. You’ve been an encouraging support lifting me up with your caring words so many times. I count myself as blessed to have you as part of this community. Sending you hugs, CoCo
As always, I loved reading this heartfelt post CoCo. We have had many things happen to our family over the past few years and this is such a great reminder for me personally. Even though I just saw this after Thanksgiving, I think it’s great for the Christmas holidays and I would like to share it on Saltwater Sounds tomorrow.
That would be so sweet of you, Kim, thank you! I know the holidays are not always easy to go through, especially, when life has handed you a few extra curveballs so I’ll be thinking of you and your family and lifting you up this season. I’m always thankful you’re a part of my life and I’m sending you lots of love and hugs, CoCo
This is such an important message CoCo. First let me say, you commented on a post of mine and you always give such sweet comments. I wanted to pop over here and give one of your posts a little love to return the favor. Well, I didn’t choose the first post of yours I came to. I chose this one. And I don’t believe it was accidental or coincidental. I believe I needed to read this particular post. So thank you. Thank you for the reminder about those who are suffering or in pain or lonely. Thank you also for reminding me who I am because of who He is. Thank you for your words and how beautifully you put them together to deliver this important message. Blessings to you Coco 😍
I don’t believe in accidents or coincidence either, Cindy, only in divine appointments. I’m so glad you chose this post and that it encouraged you. My one daily prayer is to be a vessel and not a container because I know these words and this platform are both gifts. Always happy to have you here so we can cheer each other on no matter what season of life we’re in. Big hugs, CoCo
What a wonderful encouragement! The Lord is using you in many ways!
Such a sweet and kind thing to say, Susan, thank you so much. I really appreciate it! Big hugs, CoCo