(ThyBlackMan.com) In the mist of the celebration, resolutions, and happiness remember those in your circle and family that are seeing the New Year as a source of pain. 2018 will bring a newness in the life of some that is neither wanted nor celebrated. They will need the support of their loves ones to show them the silver lining where they see pure darkness. 2017 saw plenty of tragedy that many people are still fighting to recover from. In those tragedies, and apart from them, there was lots of life lost. This requires us keeping an eye on those families as they need extra hugs, and goodness no matter how small.
We all know that person that is so strong, and they stand with everyone they love when tragedy strikes. You know they are affected, but they don’t drop a single tear. They find a way to ease your anxiety, and cause smiles where you didn’t think they were 
possible. The holidays prove to be a hard time for anyone that has lost someone dear to them. However, starting a new year without that person that may have been with them all of there life can prove to be too much for even the strong. It is very easy to get comfortable in their perceived strength to the point we forget they have a breaking point.
The truth is helping others get through has been their coping mechanism to stay on their feet through the pain of loss. Remember why they are hurting, and try to give them a portion of the time they have, and would give you. Let them see that love is not a one-way street, and that they will get through the darkness because they aren’t alone.
Far to often this is a support that is readily received, but not quite reciprocated in kind. The strong family member is very aware when they are alone…and they are not likely to ever make mention of their need for support. They simply tend to disappear. In that space they can fall into deep depression, and even illness. There is power in hugs, phone calls, and small acts of kindness. Try to understand when your strong family members don’t have it in them to say that New Year’s will be happy; try not to rebuke them for telling you their truth in showing you their pain. Though they hope for a better year than they have endured, they face walking into a new year without those that meant so much to them. That can be a bit frightening. It requires both love and patience in their support circle.
I am of those that can’t seem to tell myself it’s going to be a happy new year, as I will go into 2018 without my father. I’ve never known a new year without him in my life, and it doesn’t feel okay regardless of the constant advice that everything will be okay. He who has stood watch for 35 years is no longer on post, and that does contribute to a sense of uncertainty.
If you are the strong one its okay to lean on your family, and allow the love to wash over you. Find light in the face of the children, and the spirit of those that love you. January 1, 2018 may not feel happy, and that’s okay. Just take it one day at a time with those that are willing to walk with you.
Staff Writer; Christian Starr
May connect with this sister over at Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/christian.pierre.9809 and also Twitter; http://twitter.com/MrzZeta.
