Every few years, it seems as though we keep subtracting chairs from the family dinner table. We find ourselves staring at these empty seats, and wondering why you all cannot be here to share one more holiday with us. We wonder about what would have happened if we had saw the warning signs of suicide, if we had made you quit smoking earlier, if we had simply forced you to go to the doctors sooner.

But the reality is, that sitting at the table and wondering all of these what ifs, is not going to bring you all back. Its not going to take away the pain we feel every year around the holidays, and it is not going to fill the empty seat at the dinner table.

However, you bless us every year with our health, with our safety, and with the new people that have began to fill your empty seats. We know that you all would be proud of the people that have been filling these seats, however, know that they can never replace the void that you all had left in our lives. They are just doing a good job at keeping our hearts content.

Know that each year, it doesn't get easier, we only learn to cope a little better. We miss you all just as much as we did the day you decided it was time to leave us. But with your messages of ever lasting love, we will be OK.

Every year, the family seems to grow little by little thanks to your blessings. The love that is felt between the family around the holidays is stronger than ever, and we continue to remember each and every one of you in a special way each and every day. We remember the love you left with us, all the laughs and memories that we continue to hold close to our hearts, as to make the holidays a little easier, but they will never be the same again.

Rather, we continue to make new memories, with the people that have began to fill your seats. We continue to laugh, and to cry, but rather these tears are tears of joy and comfort, knowing that you're all looking over us, and blessing us more and more every day.

So thank you. Thank you for being the comfort we feel around the holidays, even if you cannot physically be here anymore. Thank you for allowing us to begin filling your seats with those we love and cherish, as much as we did all of you. Thank you for allowing us to continue to live on, with your memories and love within our hearts forever. And thank you for continuing to keep us safe, happy, and healthy, every day.

You all are truly our biggest blessings.