Georgia Love explains why Christmas without her mum was a hard day. But not the hardest.

This year marked the second Christmas Day Georgia Love and her family have celebrated since her mum, Belinda, passed away from pancreatic cancer in late 2016.

And while “life goes on” with Santa photos and smiles, the journalist and former Bachelorette has put into words what so many feel at this time of the year – getting through Christmas Day is just one battle.

“I don’t like the word “luck” but I do think I was very lucky to have never really experienced grief until last year. But 27 years without understanding it has made its blow even tougher than I could have imagined,” Love wrote alongside a quote on Instagram on Wednesday.

I don’t like the word “luck” but I do think I was very lucky to have never really experienced grief until last year. But 27 years without understanding it has made its blow even tougher than I could have imagined. What’s surprised me the most is how it hits on the days you least expect it. Of course Mothers’ Day, her birthday, the anniversary of her death and Christmas would be hard. I was prepared. I received countless messages of love and thoughts and was wrapped in that protective coating. And I got through, even with a smile. But I never expected how hard the days following those milestones would be. If grief comes in waves, they are the tsunamis. Life returns to normal for everyone else on those days, but the grieving person’s does not. And will not. It’s indelibly changed and that’s what is so hard to wrap your head around. It’s not just this Christmas she’s not here for, it will be the next and the next and the next. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel. If you have someone in your life who is grieving, please don’t forget them in these days. That’s when we need you most

A post shared by GEORGIA LOVE (@georgiealove) on Dec 26, 2017 at 1:38pm PST

“What’s surprised me the most is how it hits on the days you least expect it. Of course Mothers’ Day, her birthday, the anniversary of her death and Christmas would be hard. I was prepared. I received countless messages of love and thoughts and was wrapped in that protective coating. And I got through, even with a smile. But I never expected how hard the days following those milestones would be.

“If grief comes in waves, they are the tsunamis. Life returns to normal for everyone else on those days, but the grieving person’s does not. And will not. It’s indelibly changed and that’s what is so hard to wrap your head around.

LISTEN: Mia Freedman interviews Georgia Love on this episode of No Filter (post continues after audio…)

“It’s not just this Christmas she’s not here for, it will be the next and the next and the next. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel. If you have someone in your life who is grieving, please don’t forget them in these days. That’s when we need you most.”

Belinda sadly passed away just days after Lee Elliot was announced the winner of Love’s season of The Bachelorette.

Since her mum’s passing, Love has become an ambassador for Pancare, and is passionate about raising awareness for the horrible disease. Up to 2,823 people will die from this insidious illness in 2017. To help support the fight against pancreatic cancer, you can donate and fundraise for Pancare by visiting their website.