Bittersweet

 

Five Christmases ago, my sweet nephew, Travis, gave me this basket with chocolate, wine, and yarn (he knew me well). One month later, he tragically left this earth and is no longer with us. As many of you know, that was a devastatingly difficult time in the lives of those who loved him.

This basket has sat in my bedroom every day for the past 5 years. Every night when I go to bed, I see it, I think of Travis, and I contemplate what to make with it. Yet, for 5 years, I haven't been able to make myself crochet something with it. I am not sure why, but I just couldn't. Then, about a week ago, it came to me, a basket. I think he would love it.

Crocheting this basket was so healing for me. As I worked on it, I prayed for those who loved Travis, his parents, his siblings, his aunts and uncles, and even his friends. As life has continued to carry on, we have all had to blaze a path without him and move through life realizing the depths of depression and suicide and how it affects all those involved. Speaking from experience of losing several loved ones, the grief of losing a loved one to suicide is a unique type of grief.

Please know that you are loved and cared for by those around you.
If you are feeling suicidal, please call “988” is the three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. By calling or texting 988, you’ll connect with mental health professionals with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Connection

Humanity was always created to be in intimate proximity to God. It's in that relationship that we know how to love one another. As the world will know that we are his disciples by our love for one another.

Social connection can be described as the experience of feeling close and connected to others. It involves feeling loved, cared for, and valued, and forms the basis of interpersonal relationships. Increasingly, social connection is understood as a core human need, and the desire to connect as a fundamental drive.

Connection with others is more important than one might think. Social connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and actually improve our immune systems. By neglecting our need to connect, we may be putting our health at risk.

Human connection is a deep bond that's formed between people when they feel seen and valued. During an authentic human connection, people exchange positive energy with one another and build trust. Human connection makes us feel heard and understood and gives us a sense of belonging.

Our day-to-day lives are busy. We spend our days balancing between endless meetings, school activities, and family responsibilities. On top of that, we try to squeeze in exercise and running errands. This leaves us with no time to connect. In a world of more virtual interactions than physical, human connection is now more important than ever, especially the last few years.

Our fast-moving lives have wreaked havoc on our relationships. We don't feel nearly as connected to each other as people did a generation ago. These days we can close our electronic garage door and step into our house without even greeting our neighbors.

Yet we were created for relationship. In fact the first thing God said was, "It's not good for man to be alone." God said that humans were not made for isolation. We were made for connection. Why? We were created in the image of God. The Bible says God is love. And to love, you've got to have somebody to love. 

I cannot  believe this is the 5th year since I gave up New Year's resolutions and deciding to chose a word of the year. I enjoy the process of choosing a word, praying about it, asking for guidance, dreaming of what the New Year will bring, taking a quiz, etc.

In case you haven't figured it out, my word for 2023 is ... 

Let's work together to help people make a connection this year!