So I've been racking my brain about what to write about for the December issue - primarily because this is my second time writing for Wattmag and I just got accepted to the team (which is awesome). I've had three different ideas so far, any of which could've been amazing standalone pieces - but I didn't want to make the magazine sound somber.

The first was to talk to you guys in the way that I do and inspire you all to take a visit and do something good for someone else. Cheesy and predictable, yes I know. But it wasn't just a "be nice to your neighbor" pitch. It was more like: you're with your family, you're being cheerful and someone else that you may know, is not.

Now I still share those sentiments. I still want you guys to consider that,  but I'm going to split this article into three pieces. At Wattmag, we staff writers are given free range on what we want to write about and while having no restrictions is amazing, it sends the writer insane with Ideas.

That's what has happened to me, unfortunately.

So here goes nothing - or something. Because I want you all to come away with a heart filled with warmth, a mind filled with appreciation, and a soul full of generosity and understanding.

Sub 1- Christmas Time Blues

Now I know that makes no sense to actually be put together -the words Christmas time and blues- since Christmas is a happy time right? True. For most, it may be a happy time, filled with joy and family, gift giving and yummy food. But what about those who don't find Christmas time so cheery?

Now you're asking yourself what kind of a madman doesn't love Christmas? But it's not about not loving Christmas, it's about the things that Christmas represents.

It's about the presents that aren't given, the food that's not eaten, the family that's not seen, and the friends that aren't there. The tree that's not decorated, or the eggnog that's not made. It's about that emptiness that becomes unbearable at this time of year.

This Christmas I want you to think about something else. Not the presents (even if we all enjoy them), or the food (even if it's delicious) or even the family that's around you. I want you to think about someone else.

Everyone knows someone that has lost someone because everyone has lost someone, or a few someone's - maybe even you. But did you ever give any thought to how that person feels around Christmas time, knowing they won't see the person they've lost again, hear them laugh or see them rave about how good the fruit cake was?

They say that life is for the living, which is true - but there's always somebody thinking about the people they've lost.

Like them, the people I've lost are on my mind every day. Walking with me. Writing with me. Singing with me. They're in my thoughts and I don't break down and cry every minute of the day, but the holidays make everything harder.

It adds emphasis to the loss.

It's a time when you're supposed to be surrounded by the people you love - so what happens when the people that you love the most are gone?

Take a trip across the street this Christmas. Pick up the phone and call someone you know that isn't in as cheery a mood this year. Wrap them some food, buy them a present- even just a card. Make them a part of your family this Christmas so that these Christmas time blues could be washed away - if only just for a few hours - just share some of your joy.

My heart aches a little as I write this. This Christmas I have two new people to miss. Two extra family members that I won't call or send a card to. So I'll be thinking about them, but I'll also be surrounded by the family that I left- make sure to look out for the ones that have no one left because you never know how much someone is hurting.

See, I told you it was somber. Regardless I promised three, and I know that like me your heart is beating a little faster, or your breath is a bit shallow from reading this but we must press on.

Some people don't lose people, sometimes people lose them. They're alive and with us every day but they aren't really here. They don't remember your name or your age. Who you are. And it hurts so I wrote a poem about this kind of forgetting whether it be by mental disease or any other ailment. Old age, or an injury. Maybe you can get a feel of how it seems from someone who is lost to someone else.

Sub 2- Forgetting Christmas.

"We know it's here.

Everyone knows it's here but her.

She's forgetting things- even the simplest things. Names, birthdays, dates, the time.

She's forgetting to water the plants and take out the trash. To open the door and let the dog out.

She's forgetting how old she is - what day it is. She's forgetting where she left her shoes - the ones she threw away.

She's forgetting her neighbors, her address is not the same. She moved some time ago but it's a memory washed away.

She's forgetting how to make toast, and how to turn on the stove. She's forgetting that the days are shorter, that the lawns supposed to be mowed.

She's forgetting what they look like - the faces in her dreams. There are pictures on the shelf of people she's never seen.

She's forgetting that it's Christmas - she's even forgetting me.

My mother - she's forgotten, and we're forgetting too. How her eyes would shine like sparkles, painted Christmas lights of blue. How her smile would bring us joy, and her laughter, us to tears. How she made pudding every Christmas and peach cobbler at New Years."

Losing someone and being lost to someone.

Seems like something we can push aside because it doesn't directly affect us, but can we? Aren't we all growing older? Getting closer to the point in life when we're looking for the glasses that we're wearing. Searching for those car keys, when we take the bus to work?

The last part of this is a reminder.

Cherish the ones you love.

Care for the ones you know.

Help the ones who hurt.

Bandage those with wounds.

Show mercy.

Show understanding.

Show love.

This Christmas- don't think about gain, think about loss.

Happy Holidays from Teace