Lists and Containers of Love for The Holidays

Is it almost home for the holidays again?
I am so thankful for our family...but there are so many mixed emotions and expectations around the holidays. I will share my black Friday story next week, but today is an invitation. Hold the holidays, the conversations, the expectations, the travel... Hold it all in love.
What do I mean? Start every day by reminding yourself of what is real in your life, make a list and be thankful.
1. I have a kind, generous and wonderful husband.
2. I have 5 grown incredibly smart, fun, and sensitive kids.
3. I have 2 unbelievably gifted, gracious, loving daughters-in-law, and 3 truly kind, thoughtful, supportive significant others.
4. I am thankful for a little granddaughter named Lucy Joy.
5. I am thankful for loyal, loving, amazing friends.
6. I am grateful for good work to do in a broken world.
7. I am thankful for coffee with a dear friend today.
8. I am grateful for our daughter's visit this past weekend.
9. So thankful for my in-law's trip this fall to meet their great-granddaughter!
10. I am so thankful for opportunities to gather with those I love.

You see, I have a container of love, for all these people, for every situation. Will it all be perfect? No. Will everyone be present? No. Will I get stressed about something? Most likely. But if I hold people and emotions and expectations with, "I am trying to love, I will bring the love I have," the whole experience of the holidays changes because I have changed!

Find a container of love for whatever you are feeling and/or expecting. I lost my parents years ago and the holidays can bring so much sadness for me and it does for many people...but we can open our eyes and say, "Look at the gifts I have today."