The holiday season is always marketed as the "happiest time of the year." And in so many ways it is. You see people going out of their way to help others, you see a spike in volunteerism, and almost everyone seems to have a special holiday glow to them. I've always loved the holiday season, especially those final weeks leading up to Christmas. However, these past few years I've always felt like there was something missing.
Recently I realized it's not something, but someone.
For me, it's my grandfather. I have a feeling I'm not the only person who misses someone, especially during this season. Because I miss the traditions that we had, our special little things that were for us only.
During the holidays, I miss my grandfather. I miss the karaoke machine he bought, and the Christmas songs we'd sing together. I miss singing "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" a million times a day, even as my grandmother grew tired of it. I miss us playing the piano, eating all of my grandma's holiday cookies even though we were told we could only have a few. I miss getting in his truck to go and see the Christmas lights in the park.
I miss his stupid holiday jokes that he was so proud of. And the pictures in Santa hats. I miss getting all bundled up to go sledding at the hill that was far away, but bigger and better than the others. I miss decorating the tree with all three of us there. I miss getting all the lights out of the attic and decorating outside of the house, putting candy canes on the trees outside even though they'd all probably blow away in the winter wind. I miss putting up his special nativity scene. He would always let me do it, even if everyone was in the wrong spot.
We all miss his booming laughter that went on for what seemed like ages. We all miss him cutting and preparing food because he could do it like no one else quite could. His presence is missed every time we look around and remember he's not there.
But no matter how much we miss him, we do our best to have a good time. Because that's what the people who move on want from us. To continue to make wonderful memories with each other.
So, no matter who you're missing this holiday season, do your best to do what they'd want. Enjoy it.
