Losing someone is never easy. They say it gets easier over time, but that is a lie. The pain of losing someone never goes away. It does not get easier, it just becomes more real.
I lost my uncle in 2007, I was only 9. I was barely old enough to understand what losing someone was and what it felt like. Now that I am older it becomes more and more of a reality that Christmas is and will never the same without him.
Christmas was full of laughter and traditions, ones that he created. Every year on Christmas Eve we would go to my aunts and uncles house. Once we got there, he was already there waiting for us with open arms and the biggest smile on his face. That is one thing that he never forgot to do, smile. I guess that is where I get it from.
Later on after everyone ate dinner and it was time to open presents, he would dress up as Santa. My sister and I would run up the stairs screaming because we were so scared, he thought it was hysterical. After about 5 minutes of us screaming and crying he came up the stairs, pulled down his fake beard and showed us that it was only him. After a year or so we got better and stopped screaming and crying and truly enjoyed the tradition.
I look back at it now and think it was pretty funny, but also realize he knew how excited we were that Santa was coming that night. He wanted to bring laughter and happiness to us, even if we did scream and cry at first. Once he left, the tradition did too but it will forever stay with me.
Christmas was always my favorite holiday. Seeing my family and my uncle continuing the traditions as always made it so special. When you left, a piece of me did too. Christmas is never the same without you.
10 years. 10 Christmases without you and it does not get any easier. Merry Christmas in Heaven uncle Jimmy. I miss you and love you so much. I know you're up there smiling down on us every year in your Santa Costume.