The season for - giving

I intentionally placed the hyphen in the title — for a reason.

For many of us, the holidays are filled with family gatherings, laughter, and the exchange of love and light. Yet for others, this season is quieter. Lonelier. Some are carrying far more than what meets the eye—fear, anger, grief, hurt. The weight can be invisible, but it is very real.

The truth is, we all carry something. Unhealed trauma, unresolved pain, experiences that shape us in ways we may not immediately understand. These burdens can either anchor us to the past or become the very force that propels us forward. The direction we choose is ours. It may not feel that way in the moment — but I know, from experience, that it is.

I come from a history of childhood abuse. I survived a domestic abusive relationship, and I made it to the other side.

Those experiences did not break me. Instead, they revealed a strength and depth within me that I never knew existed. They taught me to look for light—even when the world feels heavy. I find beauty in kindness, in small moments, and in choosing to look outward, even when life feels tumultuous.

People often ask me how I’ve done this.

The answer is forgiveness.

I forgave those who chose a different path.

I chose to look beyond actions and into the “why”—  not to excuse harm, but to understand it. I know this isn’t possible for everyone, and I respect that. But it was part of my journey.

When I was sixteen, I pressed charges against those who harmed me as a child. I still remember sitting on the stand, telling my story. They pleaded guilty. The judge asked me what I wanted for them. The options were juvenile detention or mandatory counseling. Somewhere deep inside, even at that young age, I understood that their story didn’t begin with me—and that healing had to start somewhere. I chose counseling.

That moment taught me a powerful lesson: many harmful behaviors are rooted in unaddressed trauma. Healing, however, is a personal responsibility. It was never mine to carry for them.

What was mine was the choice of how I would live.

I choose to live fully—despite what has happened in the past. I reflect often, reminding myself that doing what’s right is something I have to live with. I want to rest my head at night knowing I acted with integrity, compassion, and courage.

I forgave.

So as the seasons continue to change, I leave you with this: forgive—when and if you are ready. Release the fear, the anger, the hurt that no longer serves you. Believe in yourself. Choose what is right for you. And may you rest each night knowing you did your best.

That, in itself, is freedom.