When The Holidays Aren't So Happy #sendkennytogrammy

Happy Holidays. Two simple words.  Depending upon who you are those two simple words can be associated with very different meanings.  Some people associate those words with people trying to remove God from our country, with people being offended by the phrase Merry Christmas.  For others it's simply a term of well wishes for the entire holiday season combined into one statement. A condensed version of have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  For others it is a yearly reminder of the great loss that they experienced during what should be the happiest time of the year for families around the world. 

A few years ago I planned a surprise party for a dear friend's birthday.  We had balloons, food, the whole nine yards.  It. Was.  Perfect.  Until after the party when I found out that he didn't celebrate his birthday because his grandmother had passed away on his birthday years before.  I can't imagine suffering such a loss on a day that is intended to be celebrated every year.  A day that you can't become distracted and accidentally forget one year. 

Another one of my very dear friends is going through this same thing right now.  Her situation is slightly different.  Times have changed.  Life is harder now than it was in the past, especially around the holiday season.  She lives here in Mississippi and her grandmother is in Massachusetts.  She is not doing well at all and they are not sure how much longer she will be with them.  She has started a Go Fund Me account and, with the help of some very generous individuals, has raised a portion of the travel expenses necessary for her and her son to make the trip to Massachusetts to her grandmother's funeral. 

Writing this brings tears to my eyes for Fran and baby Kenny.  Not for the loss of her grandmother.  She has been very ill and I believe that their family has accepted this and is at peace with this.  It's more happy tears.  If Fran is able to make this trip baby Kenny will be able to meet his grandmother (Fran's mother) for the first time.  He is nearly 1 year old and has never been able to meet his grandmother in person.  I like to hope that in the future when Fran hears Happy Holidays that she will be reminded of the first time that her son met his grandmother and not of the year that she lost her grandmother.

If you would like to learn more about Fran and her family you can visit her personal blog here.
If you would like to consider making a donation to her Go Fund Me account you can do so by visiting here.
Please keep Fran and her family in your prayers during this time.  The loss of a family member during the holidays is especially hard. If you would like to leave any well wishes in the comments please do so and they will be passed on to the family. 

#sendkennytogrammy