TRUCE Magazine Memphis

By Hannah L. Jeffers  Do you ever wake up and wonder what in the world is really going on? This is a complex question asked by so many during these difficult times. The holidays seemingly bring a more microscopic look at the world in which we live. It seems the days past so fast and before you know it another Christmas is knocking at your door. But this year for so many of us it feels unwanted and unwelcoming. Perhaps it is because our children are all grown and gone. Or maybe it is because we have loss our spouse and our parents have long since passed on. Or it could be reduced to the amount of gray now showing in our hairline. We sit and remember when our grays earned respect and those around us appreciated the wisdom and advice our longevity provided. It seems those days are forever gone. In this day it seems our gray hair signifies nothing, and in fact our youth make an extra effort to remind us that we know nothing about this day and time. Unfortunately, they could be right. How

  By Hannah Jeffers      It is that time of year once again and although many of us are feeling blessed to see another holiday season some of us are depressed by the notion of spending it alone. This is not just the season of cheer. The holidays season is also a season of suicide and death. It is a time when people are drawn into the fantasy that everything should be beautiful and bright and so often it is the exact opposite. Older people sit alone in silence hoping that their children will visit or at least invite them over. Younger families get overwhelmed with worrying about how they can afford all the glamour and gifts demanded for the holiday show. Many people find themselves going into debt. For many families holiday festivities turn into chaos and crime. Marriages suffer and relationships crumble during this season more than any other time of the year. However, there is hope. Yes, there are ways to create joy and holiday beauty and not ruin your finances. There are so many creat