Physical Address
19000 SW 112th Ave, Miami, FL 33157, United States
The holiday season is exhausting. It is beautiful and meaningful, but it is also heavy. Every year I feel the pressure of making sure each child we serve has the best Christmas possible, because for many of them, this season already comes with so much loss. While others are counting down with excitement, some of our kids are remembering what they do not have. That reality sits with me every single December.
This year felt especially full. We hosted four different Christmas parties to make sure every age group we serve felt seen and celebrated. From our youngest kids to our young adults, we wanted each of them to experience joy in a way that felt right for their stage of life. We try hard to build family traditions because many of our kids have never had consistent ones. Traditions create safety. They give something to look forward to. They plant memories that can be carried into adulthood.
Every year we do matching pajamas and a Christmas tree competition with cash prizes. This year, we decided to do something new. We had all eight of our homes decorate the outside of their houses and compete against each other. Watching the kids get involved was everything. They planned themes, worked together, laughed, argued, and took real pride in what they created. Some homes went all out with lights, music, and costumes. Others focused on simple details that meant something to them. In the end, everyone won, because the goal was never just the prize. It was connection.
The holidays can be incredibly painful for those who have experienced loss. For many of our kids, grief shows up quietly. It is missing a parent, a sibling, or a version of life they never got to have. We try to make the season fun while also creating space for grieving. They are allowed to feel joy and sadness at the same time. They do not have to suffer in silence here.
By the time Christmas is over, I am tired in a way that sleep does not fix. But I am also deeply grateful. Grateful for the staff, the volunteers, the donors, and the community that shows up again and again. Grateful for the kids who remind me why this work matters.
If there is one thing I have learned, it is this. We cannot pour into others if we are completely empty. This season, be gentle with yourself. Take a moment to look back at what you survived, what you built, and what you gave. Celebrate your own milestones, even the quiet ones no one else saw. Give yourself a gift that is not wrapped. Rest. Reflection. Grace.
Caring for others starts with caring for yourself. And that is a tradition worth keeping.
With Love,
ZeeZee (as my family calls me) AKA Fritzie 🙂
