How do you ever have a "normal feeling Christmas" again when on that one Christmas morning, you woke up to the news Rian Fuller woke up to. 

On Christmas of 2015, Rian lost her best friend Karen Bessinger, who just happened to be the one who gave her birth.  Here we discuss whether or not Christmas is "redeemable" for Rian again; and we wonder why the hell couldn't God have just picked a different day to take her mom home?   Maybe September 14th?  Or how about January 14th?   

Christmas is expected  to be -- and treated by the masses -- as the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year," but for those who suffered great loss in recent prior years, this is impossible.  And this tension between "happy holidays" and grief, is utterly painful, so I'm told. 

The pain of this world, the untimely loss of one you call mother and friend, in this episode we reflect on life, loss, and eternal perspective.  There's also some mysterious "post death interactions" that will have you supernatural romantics smiling and crying, while the  logical, boring people will roll eyes in skepticism.  HA!  Love to all.  Merry Christmas. 

And we mourn with those who mourn.   We pray more peace for all mankind.  The kind that passes all understanding.   

Rest in Peace
Karen Bessinger
January 26, 1964 -
Dec 25th 2015.

Special thanks to Rian Fuller for sharing her life (and the life of her mom's) with us.
*Rian was referred to on this episode inadvertently by her maiden name, "Bessinger." *

Episodes mentioned in this episode:
How Does a Widowed Mom in her 30s View Life and God? (Part 1 w/ Liz Miller)
How Does a Widowed Mom in her 30s View Life and God? (Part 2 w/ Liz Miller)
A Practical Discussion on Grieving During the Holidays
A Merry-Less Christmas, Newly Widowed

Rian Fuller Instagram / Photography Business

The Sing Team and their Christmas Album is featured throughout episode.  Congrats on a rad Christmas release!

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