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There is absolutely nothing that can prepare you for the sudden death of a loved one. Survivors are often plagued with unanswered questions and unimaginable grief. In this week’s Modern Love essay, writer Zoe Fishman, who met and married her subway crush after years of admiring him from afar, shares the life-altering experience of losing him suddenly and unexpectedly. After eight years of marriage, and two-and-a-half years of life without him, she finds glimpses of her husband in their two small sons.
I’m a sucker for a Christmas miracle, especially one where the internet ultimately does a good thing. When a woman from Tulsa, Okla., had no one to spend the holidays with, she turned to Craigslist in search of a family. She placed an ad (“Anybody need a grandma for Christmas?”), and after receiving some terribly cruel responses, took it down. But not before a 21-year-old took a screenshot and posted it on Facebook, where it quickly went viral. We’re happy to report that the meaning of Christmas was not lost, as she received numerous messages from kind strangers offering to host her.
And speaking of the holidays, friction seems unavoidable this time of year (isn’t it supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year?). If you’re struggling with how to split time between friends, your family and your partner’s family, or trying to avoid conflict and rude relatives altogether, read this because you’re not alone.
Happy all things festive and cheery! (And good luck!)
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