By Carol Anne Cross

As a child growing up, the holiday season for me was always a happy, casual and relaxed time of year. Christmas was an exciting mix of decorations, gifts, and love. We may not have had a lot of money, but we didn’t notice that. Mum and Dad made up for it in so many other ways. The big family Christmas dinner with our grandparents was sometimes overwhelming for us children. Mealtime was centered around the adults and we were unable to play with our toys and gifts until late in the afternoon when we headed back to our own home. Once the big day was over, it was time for us to go camping on sunny beaches, surfing, and of course fishing, with our extended family and friends.

When our daughters were born, they loved Christmas and the holidays as much as I did, but it has never been the same for my husband, Christmas celebrations in his family, were more subdued. To a degree, he still has the same feelings about Christmas, holidays and even birthdays.

After my eldest daughter, Danielle, made her transition to spirit when she was only six years old, Christmas and the holidays were very different. I didn’t even want to think about it. I was empty and sad. But our youngest, Lisa, was only 4 years old and it was important for her to be able to enjoy Christmas and to experience the magic of it all. She was very conscious, even at that age, that things were different and would never be the same. But, I needed to be aware of her feelings, and if we didn’t celebrate Christmas then it wouldn’t be fair to her.

As the years passed, Lisa’s almost infectious enjoyment at Christmas and the holidays, helped to heal some of the sadness that I felt. It was a strange feeling; here I was surrounded by family and friends, they were laughing, happy and enjoying time together. While inside I felt empty, lonely and sad. I couldn’t listen to Christmas songs in the shops without crying, or watch families shopping together without feeling jealous. It took many long years for these feelings to fade into the background.

Early one morning, Danielle’s spirit came to visit me, and everything began to change. She reached out to me from the world of spirit. She was right here beside me; the joy and contentment I felt are beyond mere words.

As I go within, breathe, and feel the warmth and love of my daughter’s spirit, Christmas and the holidays have once again become a happy, and joyful time for me. I feel Danielle’s essence and vibration, and I know her love is always with me, as mine is with her. I still have times when I wonder about what could have been if our lives hadn’t been disrupted the way they were. Then I stop myself and realize how wonderful our six short years together were. By allowing this multitude of emotions, I step into a beautiful place of acceptance and gratitude, realizing this is another part of my healing journey.

My two beautiful grandchildren enjoy Christmas and the holidays, with the same excitement as their mother, Lisa. Their physical love and presence, together with the beautiful energy of Danielle, has brought love and happiness back into my life.

I am enjoying my life, exploring the many possibilities that are coming my way, opportunities I had never even imagined. I feel very blessed and filled with infinite love and gratitude for all the days of my life – past, present and yet to unfold.

About Carol Anne Cross

Carol Anne Cross is a certified Angel Intuitive, a spiritual workshop, and meditation facilitator. Carol is a host on Angel Heart Radio, presenting the divinely inspired A Vision of Angels, along with Anayah Joi Holilly. You can find out more, as well as meet our guests, on Angellight777.com. Carol enjoys a deep and meaningful connection to her angels and spirit guides. She is now passing on the knowledge she has gained to assist others to realize their dreams and to help them to believe in themselves. Carol also works with the elemental realm, including the beautiful dragons and even those from other planets. After all, earth is not the only place we can incarnate, but it is the only place where we can experience free will and emotion.

Carol has been aware of her strong connection to the angels and the spiritual realm since childhood. She grew up in a household where oracle cards and clairvoyance were a part of everyday life. When her 6-year-old daughter passed to spirit, Carol questioned all that she had accepted since childhood. She undertook a journey that was at times painful and tumultuous. Carol emerged with compassion, unconditional love, and insight into how we can work together to achieve the balance of mind, body, and spirit.

Carol is a Reiki Practitioner and combines her knowledge of physical healing with the healing that comes from the angelic and metaphysical realm. Carol and her husband live in Brisbane offering spiritual, holistic and healing workshops and courses, on their leafy acreage property.

Website: CarolsAngelWings.com