Rev. Sarah Buteux, a pastor at The First Churches in Northampton, lights an advent candle in the downtown church Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018.
Rev. Sarah Buteux, a pastor at The First Churches in Northampton, lights an advent candle in the downtown church Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. Credit: STAFF PHOTO/Andy Castillo

Living with loss during the holidays

Thank you to all who participated in the article, “Blue Christmas” in this morning’s (Dec. 18) Gazette. Unless they have experienced the loss of a loved one, most people don’t realize how holidays can affect the lives of people who have suffered that kind of loss. “Merry Christmas” is anything but for many people.

This year we’ll observe our 40th Christmas without our older daughter who died of a rare illness at the age of 15. To those more recently bereaved, I will say that over time it does become a little easier. I would ask everyone to treat gently those who have experienced a loss, whether recently or a long time ago. It’s probably not a bad idea to treat EVERYONE gently throughout the year.      

Evelyn Billings
Easthampton