The week between Christmas and New Year is never quiet or mundane...unless you live alone or are spending the holidays without family or loved ones. In this case, it's not really a holiday in your heart. 

We all are conditioned to think of the holidays as filled with all good things; just like our stomachs after a hearty Christmas dinner. We envision beautiful snow frosting the landscape and coating Christmas lights, making them look even more magical.  We think of all the glorious gifts beneath the largest, fullest tree, fully dressed in lights and ribbons, and adorned with ornaments from years past. Relaxing fireside, hot chocolate in hand, we reminisce years gone by, how the children have grown, and now have babies of their very own. Did I forget to mention the Christmas carols? They play ad nauseum everywhere you go. Such a sweet reminder that we should be feeling happy; joy should be bursting forth from our hearts. Our cups runneth over and we should be thankful for everything we have been given. What about what was never given, or even worse, taken away?