Empath Health Blog, Jim Andrews

Suncoast Hospice Director of Spiritual Care Jim Andrews

This holiday season has felt different for many people with whom I have spoken. Monitoring the rise and fall of COVID infection rates, deciding whether to travel to see family, wondering about boosters and new variants and trying to fit in shopping for gifts and maintaining holiday traditions in the midst of it all. We are not at the same place we were for the holiday season of 2020, but neither have we had a full return to normal. So the two most important gifts of this year’s holiday season may be kindness and understanding. For ourselves, our families and friends, our colleagues at work, and those we serve. Extending kindness by recognizing that each and every one of us has been impacted by these last two years. Offering to understand, knowing that we are all doing the very best we can and that it is LOVE that is at the core of what we celebrate this season no matter what our religious affiliation. The good news is that love is able to fill our hearts to overflow and shine the bright light of hope even during dark and difficult days.

May your holiday season be filled with love, kindness and understanding!

Have a great week everyone,

Jim