These were the words mom sent in a text. Her voice sounded sad earlier that day. It had been a tough week. Months of caregiving and the loss of her mom were taking a toll. Phone calls can be exhausting, and they demand immediate attention. A text can be politely put off until the energy comes back to send a little something. When she was able to send them, those words were like a hug!

And they sparked a thought. There are many ways we can reach out. Christmas parties and family gatherings aren’t the only option for connecting. So, in the days before Christmas, how many of these can you embrace?