The holidays bring a lot of emotions for me.

Sometimes I am happy.

Sometimes I am sad.

Most of the time I am a lot happy and also a little sad. Together.

The feelings get all mixed up and squished together.

Then they slide off each other like oil and water.

Sometimes they clump together and get a little globby.

Other times they slosh around and spill over the edges.

It feels messy and uncomfortable for me sometimes.
If you or someone you love feels this, too- especially during the holidays- I just want you to know...

You can be grateful for the people around you and still miss those who are gone.

You can count your blessings and still experience grief.

You can decorate the house in twinkling lights and still feel a little glum.

You can genuinely enjoy having your people together and still be grateful for the calm when everyone has gone home.

You can laugh and you can cry.

You can know genuine joy & peace and still find yourself slogging through some sorrow.

You can be happy and still be sad.

It’s okay to feel all the things. It’s normal. It’s healthy. It’s genuine. You can feel how you need to feel and do what you need to do, even during the holidays.

Follow Mandy McCarty Harris, Writer for more stories of standing happily in the middle of life, love, and parenting.