The holidays in Salem haven’t been easy for Julie without Doug. On Days of our Lives, the season has carried a quieter ache, one shaped by memory, endurance, and the long habit of showing up even while the chair beside you remains empty. That reality isn’t far from Susan Seaforth Hayes’ own life, and as the year turns, she chose to speak to fans not with platitudes, but with a promise she’s making to herself.
Key Takeaways
- Julie’s first holiday season without Doug reflects real, lived grief.
- Susan Seaforth Hayes met the moment with honesty rather than comfort phrases.
- Her vow for 2026 centers on listening, presence, and staying open to surprise.
- Co-stars and fans responded with warmth, recognition, and shared experience.
A Promise Made Out Loud
On Instagram, Hayes wrote, “Happy Holidays! I hope we each enjoyed the pause in our busy days to do something new and delightful… or familiar and ‘best ever!’ Trimming a Christmas tree, shouting out carols, or munching turkey with lifetime pals is, after all, forever fun!”
She then imparted some poignant advice to her fans with, “In ‘26 let’s listen for nature’s creative magic and listen, really listen, to our dearest friend’s stories. That’s my vow. I talk too much and know it, but pray I can change for the better… even in my 80s. There is always some surprise ahead. We are on a spinning planet, sometimes we can feel it and get dizzy- but always, let’s enjoy the ride of being alive ❤️ xx Susan.”
Co-star Martha Madison (Belle) delightfully commented, “Sage advice from the wisest among us. Happy Holidays, Susan. 😍.” Not to be left out, James Reynolds (Abe) shared the simple, “💕.” The fan comments filled quickly with many echoing the same warmth Hayes offered.
When Fans See Themselves in Her
For some, Hayes’ post landed close to home. One viewer shared, “Dearest Susan, thank you for your wonderful words of wisdom. I hope 2026 brings you peace and joy. Having lost my husband 9 months ago, I am sometimes struggling without him. I hope to become as brave as you are with time. God bless you, dear lady. ❤️⛄️❄️😘.”
Others focused on gratitude and history. “Thank you for so many wonderful years of beautiful memories. You are simply the best!” one fan wrote, tying Hayes’ message to decades of shared television life. There was joy in the responses, too, from compliments to holiday wishes to numerous heart emojis.
One follower summed the collective responses with, “❤️ you are loved. Sending Merry Christmas week blessings and a wonderful New Year 🎄 ❤️.”
