10/12/2024
The holidays bring with them a unique mix of emotions—joy, warmth, and the magic of the season, especially when shared with family. But for many, including myself, the holidays also stir up grief, longing, and a deep sense of loss.
This year, as I embrace the season with my newly growing family and my daughter, I’m reminded of the loved ones who are no longer with us, and the heavy toll their absence still takes on my heart.
Like many, I’ve lost people who were near and dear to me.
The loss of dear friends and coworkers in the military, some of whom I didn’t know until the tragedy struck, to su***de, is something I carry with me every day.
The pain is compounded by personal losses, like that of my father, who smoked himself into a slow death through emphysema and cancer, my father-in-law, whom I never had the chance to meet but whose struggle with alcoholism claimed his life long before I met my husband, and my godmother who committed su***de.
This time of year brings about a particular kind of sadness, an ache for the people who should have been there, enjoying the holidays with us.
I sometimes find myself longing for the “what-ifs”... for my daughter to have had the chance to know not just her her Nana, but Nana and Papa, not just her Gramma, but her Gramma and Grampa, and to experience the magic of the holidays through their eyes. Yet, I know that she will only have memories of them through stories and the people we’ve adopted as her grandfathers outside of our families.
Despite the grief, I find deep gratitude in these experiences. Not because I enjoy pain, it’s quite the opposite. But the losses have opened me up to a depth of compassion that I could never have fully appreciated without them. Becoming a mother, for instance, gave me an entirely new perspective on love and loss, and now I can deeply empathize with others who have walked through similar pain.
I am also profoundly grateful for my husband. I have had the privilege of watching his journey, from the hell he endured with his PTS diagnosis during our dating years, to becoming the loving father and husband he is today.
He has touched the lives of thousands, pouring his heart into his work of helping others, both men and women, overcome their suffering.
Whether from formal PTS or other forms of mental and emotional pain, my husband has dedicated his life to coaching others out of their struggles and into lives of peace, abundance, and empowerment.
If you are struggling, especially with the pain of loss during this time of year, or feeling crushed under the weight of societal pressures, I want you to know that you are not alone.
There are many of us who understand, who’ve felt the full range of emotions and are here to tell you that it’s possible to feel deeply without getting stuck in those emotions.
If you feel like you need someone to talk to, or if you’re looking for a guide to help you move through the pain, I would be honored to connect you with my husband, Jake Wehr.
He has helped countless people achieve mental clarity, cultivate strong relationships, and thrive physically and financially. He is a coach unlike any other, not just because I’m married to him, but because he has personally walked me through my own struggles.
He has been my coach long before we were together, showing me life from perspectives I never expected. His commitment to others’ success is unwavering.
And ladies, sorry not sorry, he’s already taken, obviously! 😉 But that just means you get to find someone else who’s just as dedicated to your growth and happiness.
Remember, no matter what you’re facing, you are worthy of healing, connection, and the joy that this season can offer.
The journey is not always easy, but you don’t have to walk it alone, and the view from this side is worth it 100%. 🫶
