The holidays isn't easy, especially when one has a set of traditions that they have shared with their loved ones. And when they are gone--it's hard to carry out the traditions that you have shared with them. Whether it's reading the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to your little child or dickering with one of your parents on what's the best way to hang Christmas lights on the house or your Grandmother's famous chicken noodles.
I don't have the liberty of the above three anymore. Grandma passed at an old ripe age of 98, my father passed of a heart attack at 78--and of course, we all know about my daughter, Ally, if you don't know Kalista--she was murdered right before Christmas at the age of 6.
But it's important to remember them at this time of the year--things may not be the same but nevertheless--
they are there in spirit.
How are they there in spirit--well.....I have my Grandmother's recipe for the chicken noodles and am going to make them this year. I make it every year at Christmas--so she is still there with me so to speak. As for my father--I would have to stop and think how he would hang the Christmas lights and just do it to his specifications. The neat thing about it is that I still have his "special tools" that he uses at Christmas to hang the lights.
As for my daughter--that was the hardest. I didn't celebrate Christmas for almost 3 years as I was pretty upset and bitter over it. But eventually, time and patience won out. I started to hang up decorations and such. I still hang her stocking by the fireplace--even though she isn't here with me--it the memory of her on Christmas morning. The way her eyes lighted up, waking me up at an ungodly hour to let me know Santa has arrived, etc, etc.
This year is different. A couple of days ago, I was getting ready to decorate my house again and came across a box that hasn't been open in a long time. I thought it was college memorabilia--so I opened it and inside were three Christmas gifts that are for me from Ally. Unopened.
Right now--they are sitting underneath the Christmas tree--waiting to be opened. I get teary eye over it but it's okay. Like I said, I can't wait for Christmas morning to see what my little girl got me!
So...if you need to cry--go ahead and cry. If you want to laugh--laugh. But above all--cherish the memory you have of them at Christmas whether it's a favorite Christmas recipe, story, or tradition.
Hope it helps because I know it's helping me. It ain't easy but we will get through it!
Merry Christmas Kalista. It will get better