The Waiting Is the Hardest Part

Any Tom Petty fans in the room? “The Waiting” is stuck in my head:

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part

When holidays approach, waiting really is the hardest part. Whether it’s Mother’s Day, my mom’s birthday, the anniversary of when she passed away, or this time of year for Thanksgiving, the emotional roller coaster begins. Here’s the pattern:

2-3 weeks before: Excitement!!! This year, it’s going to be fine! I’m older, wiser, more mature, [insert any compliment here].

1 week before: Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. I’m still just a kid, and she still won’t be there.

2 days before: The blues.

Day of: Totally fine.


Sounds pretty nutty, huh? It can feel that way, too. If grief comes in waves, then holidays are total riptides. Luckily, most of us have found lifesavers: friends or family member who are always there for you. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about two people who lift my spirits on Thanksgiving. For tonight, Tom Petty’s my buoy. I’ll just keep listening to “The Waiting” and reminding myself that by turkey time, I’ll be feeling fine.

Here’s a funny video of Tom Petty from the ‘80s! What song comforts you? Help build my playlist!