I don't care if it's the holidays....

Stop. Stop thinking about what’s on your thanksgiving grocery list and definitely stop thinking about what presents you need to pick up for Christmas. The hustle and bustle of the holidays can consume you if you let it. This year is different though, it has to be different.

If 2020 has taught us anything it’s that this one specific time of year isn’t the most important. The holidays aren’t the only time you should be generous or grateful. They shouldn’t initiate a completely different you nor should be stressful or centered around materialistic things.

Right now I’m sitting at my aunts bedside on the second floor of the ICU while she keeps repeating “help me”. She’s fighting for her life and no matter how much fight she has in her she is close to loosing this battle. Considering hospice for a family member the day before Thanksgiving is unbearable. Stage 4 Cancer is a gut wrenching diagnosis it affects the entire family, it’s painful and it’s devastating and when they tell you it can’t be treated... it’s a death sentence. I’m sitting here thinking of how much my Aunt loved the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas and I can’t help but think of how many people take so much for granted. How many people lose sight of the real meaning for the holidays and get wrapped up in all the hype.. you know that impossible to get new PlayStation their 6 year old requested.

Don’t get me wrong the holidays and exchanging gifts with family and friends are a beautiful thing but you know what’s more beautiful?? Spending the other 363 days being just as grateful, generous, helpful, loving and selfless as people talk about being during the holidays.

It shouldn’t take a specific date to hit on the calendar for you to be thinking of a way to make someone smile. This year so many families have been impacted in so many ways and I just couldn’t help but express my feelings as they ooze out of me tonight.

Guys! Yes the holidays are approaching but don’t wait for those few days to tell the people you love you appreciate them or are lucky to have them. Don’t wait until Christmas to be generous or buy someone a gift just because you “have to”... We were recently discussing what our family was doing for Christmas gifts and my mom said the nicest thing she’s ever said to me, she said “Lauren, you shouldn’t even worry about Christmas gifts... you give all year long”. I almost cried. That’s what I strive for. I never want to wait for a special occasion to show love or bless someone with something special. I want the people around me to know they are loved and special all year long, never just this one time a year.

I urge each and every one of you to make a conscious effort this holiday and most importantly every day after to make the moments count, express the love and gratitude you have for the special people in your life EVERY SINGLE DAY. If someone looks like they could use some positivity in their life, be the source of light for them and that doesn’t mean some huge grab gesture or expensive gift. It means maybe their favorite cup of coffee when they didn’t ask or maybe offering to babysit when they haven’t had a minute to themselves. Maybe it’s a simple as a compliment or speaking love into someone who is struggling… Hack maybe it’s just listening and not judging, just being there for them.

I feel like I could go on and on for days, today has been really hard but please know your family and friends are all you got, love on them, tell them they’re important and don’t you dare wait until the holidays to do it because life is a precious gift that can get taken at any moment.

Love to all this holiday season,

La