A Holiday Message of Gratitude, Growth, and Hope

A Soft Place to Land – My Holiday Message to You

As we reach the close of the year, I wanted to offer something a little different - a quiet pause.
No tools, no strategies… just a moment of connection from my heart to yours.

This episode of the podcast was meant to be a simple year-end message. A thank you. A moment of reflection and gratitude.

But when I sat down to write it… it evolved into something much deeper.

Just like we do.

Because the truth surfaced – and made me face something head-on.

The grief mini-series I’ve been sharing this month wasn’t easy to create.

In fact, looking back to when I was writing and recording those episodes… they were some of the hardest things I’ve ever written.

Not because finding the words was difficult.

Not because the content was difficult to research.

No - it was because, just like I am still a work-in-progress with all of the content I create for you…

I’m still living the grief I speak about.

Even now, as the 20-year anniversary of my son’s death approaches…

There are certain times of the year that knock the wind out of me.

The waves of emotion… the physical symptoms… and the mental fog that accompanies grief…

They surface once again.

His birthday. Mother’s Day. The holidays. The anniversary itself.

The grief is maybe a bit softer now (most of the time).

The waves aren’t as frequent – or as wild.

And I’ve developed my own toolbox of support, rituals, strategies, and built on a foundation of self-compassion.

But even still… sometimes something “pokes the bear” – and wakes it right back up.

If you know… you know.

So if December has stirred up something you thought you had already “worked through”… I want you to hear this:

You are not alone.

You have not fallen backward.

You have just encountered one of those temporary road-blocks that show up on any journey.

Not an unsurpassable mountain.

Not a wall.

Just a sign to pause… take your bearings… and rest for awhile.

You see… some griefs don’t end. They evolve.

For many years, part of decorating for the holidays included what we called a “Micheal Tree.”
Just two feet tall.
Decorated only for him - with mementos and ornaments that reminded us of who he was.

It was one way I gave my grief a place to land during the holidays - something tangible to honour what was missing.

Now, life looks different.

My girls have grown. I have grandchildren, a blended family, and new traditions that have changed our the shape of our season again.

But with all of my blessings – and I consider myself to have many - the ache of missing him has never vanished.

I’ve just found ways to make space for it.

And that’s what ended up surfacing this week…

That our holidays don’t have to look like they used to.
That your grief doesn’t need to be hidden under a sparkly Christmas mask.

That joy can come back – sometimes in fleeting moments early on, and maybe in a different way as your journey moves forward – but if you allow it…

Joy that is even deeper – not in spite of your loss, but because of it.

And that our love - even the painful parts of it – will always deserve space.

This is Episode 32 of the Transformative Journeys podcast.
Over six months of showing up, sharing stories, and exploring the messy middle of healing and growth.

I’ve shared some science - and I’ve shared pieces of my soul.
Moments built from indignation… from tears… and from laughter.
Coping tools that I hope will help you.

Personal truths that have helped me.

And throughout it all, you’ve shown up too.

So to every person who’s listened, shared, cried, messaged, or simply walked this chapter of my journey quietly beside me-
Thank you.

From the bottom of my heart.

You matter here.
And your presence has meant more to me than you probably know.

I closed this episode with a beautiful piece from Kate Bowler - A Blessing for the Resilient.
It’s one of those blessings that names the ache, honours the survival, and doesn’t rush you to “feel better.”

Because sometimes?
The greatest gift we can give each other is simply the truth.

I hope this episode offers you a pocket of comfort…
A reminder that your story matters. That you matter.
That healing isn’t linear.
And that being soft and strong is the most the most profound kind of resilience.

Wishing you stillness, gentleness, and moments of peace and hope this season.

With blessings of light and love,
Johanna

Learn more about Johanna and the Transformative Journeys podcast at TransformativeJourneys.ca.

If you’re looking for more support this season, you’ll find the full Holiday Grief Support mini‑series on my Podcasts page - and resources, including “Insights for Navigating Grief” and my “Essential Grief Toolkit”, to help you navigate tough days in my Free Toolkits.

You might also find comfort in the reflections from Episode 29a (navigating holiday “firsts”) and 29b (how to support someone who is grieving) blogs