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TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

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Spend Christmas With My Son

Christmas is a time to be with family and friends.  A time to give thanks for what we have, to pray for those who have lost everything because of Mother Nature, for those homeless and for the lonely.  As a grandmother and a mother, whose grandchildren and children are constant absences in my life, my heart goes out to all the grandparents and mothers who are no longer thought of.  You are all in my prayers.

Spend Christmas With My Son

A single stocking hangs from the fireplace that is cold and dark, she sits wrapped in a blanket in the corner of the room, which is silent and empty.

No sounds of joy filled her heart.  No laughter to make her smile.  Another Christmas comes and goes, no cards, no gifts, and no hellos.  She has aged so much over the Christmas past; she has faded away, her heart shattered.  Once she had a loving home, lights, and laughter all around. The warmth from the fireplace, the crackling wood sounds.  Smells from the kitchen of the food being baked, and the sweet aroma of the cakes filled the air.

Music played and she would sing as the tree was decorated; lights were hung and fragrant pinecones placed beneath the tree.  The Christmas lists that were made by her two gifts of life are still within, folded and hidden in her memory.

The precious ornaments are hanging all around the tree and the collections of nativities are everywhere, reminding her of the birth of Our Lord.

Suddenly in this room of darkness, a light appears.  She is not afraid, she wishes to see her children again, kiss the cheeks of her grandchildren.  To feel someone hug her, call her mom, to hear the words “I Love You”, once more.  To know she is loved as she has loved…

The light becomes brighter and the room fills with warmth.  A voice so beautiful speaks:

“I come to comfort you my daughter and bring you peace.  I come with love from my Son that is beyond measure.  My Son has walked with you every step of your life, feeling your pain, your agonizing heart, sharing in your loneliness and isolation. My Son sees the goodness of your heart, the kindness of your soul, the compassion and love you have buried so deep.  Your devoted love for Him. Come with me now my child and hold my hand.  I will take you on a journey to see the good you have done in your life.”

With her eyes closed, feeling warm and at peace, she let herself go and through her journey, God showed her all the good things she did as a mother wiping away the bad because the love she had was so strong.

All the things she did as a friend to others; wiping away the offenses she caused because she would lay down her life for her friends, her love was so strong.

All the kindness given to strangers; wiping away questions of doubt that were selfish, because she loved her God so much, all the pain, criticism, persecution for things she was said to have done, but

God knew her true heart, and she bore this pain in silence.

Wiping away the hurts she may have caused others.  As the journey ended, she saw the face of her children, she cried; saying, “I have always loved you”.  She saw the grandchildren she so deeply missed and they knew her and said, “ We love you, Nana.  That is the innocence of God’s love within their tiny hearts.  The beautiful voice spoke again saying, “My Son will always be with you as I will” Someday you will live with us… But for now, make your home beautiful for HIM.  Spend your Christmas with my Son, and he will always bring you joy.

As she opened her eyes, she saw the light and the joy within that empty place and she was no longer alone.

Lynn Forrester-Pitocco
Lynn Forrester-Pitocco
LYNN is Retired from Law Enforcement as a Police Officer, with a background in nursing and previously a member of the Search and Rescue Team with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, A retired member of the Orange Police Department, she became the first female SWAT member on an elite team while becoming a member of the Olympic Shooting Team during the early years on the department. A mother and a grandmother, a devout Catholic who currently resides in Houston, Texas. Her hobbies include writing, painting, and a contemplative prayer life. She is in love with her faith, but the love she carries for her two grown children and grandchildren who rest in her heart surpasses everything except her faith in God. Since retirement, Lynn has done private investigation, worked as a gang counselor with middle schools, A member of Bl. Mother Teresa’s Order called the (Lay Missionaries of Charity), she is also a pro-life advocate, often called upon to give testimony and speak to youth groups, as well as adult forums. She has published a children’s book entitled “The Children’s Garden” and is currently working on two additional children’s books. She is currently working on the major one focused on her experience in Law Enforcement entitled “Heels and a Badge”. (copyright). Her paintings and sketches, writings, can be viewed on her Pinterest boards (click on the Pinterest ICON below). Her dream is to one-day write a movie for Hallmark. Dreams do come true … See Lynn’s entire collection of thought-provoking Articles by clicking on her byline. Lynn is a contributing author to the inspiring book Chaos to Clarity: Sacred Stories of Transformational Change.

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12 CONVERSATIONS

    • Thank you Larry for taking the time to read my posts. It is so hard sometimes to keep up with everyone’s writings. Joy is in the air every morning I awake and may you and yours have a blessed Christmas. Love all the beautiful pictures you post of God’s creation.

  1. Lynn, when I initially commented on your article my wife and I were out shopping but I wanted to make sure I acknowledged your article that was so very touching as well as sad but nonetheless brilliantly written. In that sadness, there is hope for a better tomorrow.

  2. Beautifully written Lynn, and clearly from your heart. It brought to mind a portion of Psalm 30, verse 5, “….Weeping may endure for a night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.” (Amplified) Prayers for healing of relationships during this current night……and thanks to the Lord in advance for the joy that will indeed come in the morning! Thank you for sharing.

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