December 2025

Good morning, my WPS Family,

The Christmas Season is upon us. This time, often filled with joy, togetherness, and warmth, can take on a different hue, when mourning the loss of our beloved husbands and wives. The laughter, traditions, and quiet moments once shared can feel like echoes, deepening the ache of absence. Yet, even amid sorrow, the true meaning of Christmas offers a path of healing, hope, and renewed purpose.
 
Moving forward does not mean forgetting. Rather, it is weaving of memories into the present and finding ways to celebrate the love you shared. By honoring your grief, embracing the deeper message of Christmas, and remaining open to both sorrow and joy, you can begin to chart a path forward, carrying your loved one’s memory with you into each new day. Join me in the following, called!

“THE TRAIN OF LIFE” (Author anonymous; a repeat for 2025)

At Birth we board a train and meet our parents. We believe they will always travel by our side. However, at some station, our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.

As time goes by, other people will board the train, and they will be significant—siblings, friends, the love of your life, children, and many others. Some will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we won’t realize they vacated their seats.

The train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. A successful ride requires having a good relationship with all passengers. We must give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is, we do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty, we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life. Reap success and give lots of love. More importantly, thank God for the journey.

Lastly, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train for 2025 and many previous years. Have a lovely Christmas
and a New Year full of hope. Hugs!

Ruth Turner, Outreach Chair and Certified Grief Support Facilitator