A Christmas Thank You (From the Bottom of Our Messy Hearts)

Christmas looks a little different for everyone. Some homes are loud and glowing. Some are quiet. Some are holding joy in one hand and grief in the other. Some are just trying to make it through the day.

And yet—here you are.

Supporting Mojo & the Mess.

Showing up.

Reading.

Sharing.

Sending messages.

Checking in.

Giving when you can.

Holding space when words fall short.

I want you to know how deeply that matters.

This space started as a place to put the things cancer tried to swallow whole—fear, anger, exhaustion, grief, love, hope, and all the messy in-between. It became a place where truth lives out loud. And it only exists because you chose to sit here with us.

You chose to read the hard posts.

You chose to share the vulnerable ones.

You chose to care about a girl, a dog, and a life that doesn’t fit neatly into holiday cards.

That choice is a gift I don’t take lightly.

This year has held more than its fair share of hospital rooms, scans, pills, waiting rooms, and long nights. It’s held loss in the cancer community that still takes my breath away. It’s also held moments of connection so meaningful they carried me when my own strength ran thin.

Messages that said:

“I needed this today.”

“I feel less alone.”

“Thank you for saying what I didn’t have words for.”

Those moments are Christmas to me.

And then there’s Mojo. Always Mojo.

He doesn’t know what cancer is.

He doesn’t know what numbers mean.

He just knows when to curl up closer, when to rest his head on my chest, and when it’s time for joy—even if it’s small and quiet.

If love could heal, he’d have done it already.

So from me, and from the little grey shadow who is never far from my side—thank you.

Thank you for believing this space matters.

Thank you for supporting honesty over perfection.

Thank you for showing up even when the story is heavy.

Thank you for helping keep Mojo & the Mess going.

If you’re reading this while grieving, while sick, while exhausted, or while missing someone this Christmas—please know you’re not forgotten here. You belong, exactly as you are.

I hope the next few days bring you at least one moment of peace.

One deep breath.

One reminder that you matter more than you know.

Merry Christmas.

With love, gratitude, and so much appreciation,

Izzy 🤍

A Note from Mojo 🐾

Mom says thank you a lot, so I will too.

Thank you for loving her.

Thank you for loving me.

Thank you for being kind when things are hard.

Please remember to rest, eat snacks, and pet a dog today.

Love always,

Mojo

Subscriber Note 🤍

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3 responses to “A Christmas Thank You (From the Bottom of Our Messy Hearts)”

  1. penguinwise8f60778b5f Avatar
    penguinwise8f60778b5f

    I’m blessed to read your word’s that are inspiring as well as encouraging!! Thank you for allowing me to understand what you face on a day to day basis.

    Like

  2. mshibdonssciencelab Avatar

    Merry Christmas to you, Pete,& Mojo! Thank you for keeping all of us updated. Your words help me to better understand and bring me gratitude for having you here in my life. I love you so very much! Hugs.

    Like

  3. Deborah White Avatar
    Deborah White

    You and Mojo are easy to love. ❤️ Merry Christmas from Deb and Jack

    Like

Leave a reply to Deborah White Cancel reply

I’m Izzy

Welcome to mojo and the mess, This isn’t the blog I ever expected to write — but it’s the one I needed.

I’m Izzy, a twenty-something living (and dying) with terminal cancer, navigating the messy, heartbreaking, unexpectedly beautiful in-between. Here, you’ll find raw reflections, real talk, dog snuggles (shoutout to Mojo), and the unfiltered truth about what it’s like to face the end of your life before it really got going.

This space is for the ones who’ve felt forgotten, the ones who don’t know what to say, and the ones who are still holding on. It’s not always pretty, but it’s always honest.

Thanks for being here. You’re part of the mess now — and I mean that in the best way.

Let’s connect