The holidays carry a different weight this year. There’s an empty seat at the table and a quietness that echoes where laughter once lived. I now find myself in a new season, navigating the festivities without the man who stood by my side for over four decades. My husband, my partner in purpose, my covering, and my encourager has transitioned. And while the world may see this season as sorrowful, I have chosen to face it with a spirit of peace and joy.

This peace is not born of circumstance, but of revelation. And the joy? It flows from a well deeper than emotions — it’s tethered to the eternal legacy of love we built together. I am a woman loved well. For over forty years, I was wrapped in a covenant that strengthened me, sharpened me, and celebrated me. My husband championed my dreams, supported my call, and never asked me to dim my light. On the contrary, he fueled my fire, reminded me of who I was in Christ, and roared with me as I stepped boldly into every arena God called me to.

So, while his physical absence is undeniable, his presence is still powerfully felt. His legacy is etched in every room I enter, every stage I stand on, every soul I impact. His love made me a better woman, a stronger Lioness, and that love has not died.

As the holiday lights twinkle and families gather, I want to encourage those who, like me, are navigating grief in the midst of celebration. You may feel a tug of sadness. That’s human. But don’t let it rob you of the joy that still belongs to you. Grief and gratitude can coexist. Peace can sit next to pain. And joy is still your portion.

In this season, I’m choosing to remember not just what I lost, but what I was blessed to have. I’m holding onto the laughter, the wisdom shared in quiet moments, and the prayers whispered over me when no one else saw. I’m celebrating the man who helped me rise, and I’m committed to continuing the mission we both lived for: to leave this world better than we found it.

To the one reading this who feels like giving up, hear me — your life still matters. Your story is not over. There is legacy in your lungs and purpose in your pain. You carry the torch now. What your loved one poured into you was never meant to end with their departure; it was meant to propel you forward.

This holiday, let your heart reflect on the gift of the love you shared. Don’t allow the enemy to twist your grief into despair. Instead, let it become fuel to build, bless, and blaze new trails in their honor.

Peace is not the absence of loss. It is the presence of God in the midst of it. And joy is the supernatural strength that enables you to keep moving forward, carrying the mantle of love, hope, and impact that was passed to you.

This season, may you remember the beauty of what was, the power of what remains, and the promise of what’s still to come.

Shine on, beloved. The world still needs your roar.

Sis, who in your life has left a legacy of love? Drop a comment below and share how this love continues to propel you forward in purpose and peace.