Tears are words that need to be written. Paulo Coelho It was a difficult fall. My father had been hospitalized, my mother-in-law had major surgery, my husband had experienced a medical emergency, and my husband’s grandfather had passed away. We spent the fall going from hospital to hospital after full workdays and found, as we approached Christmas, sadness and weariness enveloped our souls.  Yet during the Christmas season, it can be difficult to face loss or grief. Social media and public places are filled with bright lights, cheery music and decorations galore. How do we face Christmas and all its festivities when our hearts feel burdened? Dealing with broken relationships, illness, death, change and other losses can leave us feeling exposed and bereft. We may find ourselves overwhelmed by the depth of our feelings, the inability to control our feelings, or even our lack of feelings. The quote by Paulo Coelho is a great reminder that tears need to be expressed as we tr...