During the holiday season, we all look forward to seeing family and being surrounded by the ones we love the most. While baking cookies, unwrapping gifts, or decorating the tree, we reminisce about the memories that we share with loved ones who cannot be there this holiday season. We know it won't be the same this year, and their presence is missed more than ever. They won't be there to help set up the tree or drink hot chocolate, but you will be sure to put extra lights on the tree and put extra marshmallows in your hot cocoa for them. There will be framed pictures of them on the walls in the living room, and it reminds you of all the good times you had together. The whole family will share memories from previous years that will produce emotional tears but also create laughter from the funny moments that you'll never forget.
One day while Christmas shopping, you will come across something that reminds you of them. You will take a minute to stand there and imagine how they would have reacted if you bought the gift for them, and it makes you smile yet sad at the same time. Though that gift would be perfect, you realize that the person you were going to give it to already gave you an even better gift, the gift of memories. No matter how old you may get, those memories will always be with you, and that is what matters the most in life. You cherish all the times you had with that loved one, and you become more grateful and blessed with each passing day. Even little moments that you had with them will become just as equal as the bigger moments. Some of those memories may still make you cry because you miss them, but it is those memories that make you who you are. It was those loved ones that left footprints of their lives on your heart, and now their life will pass on from within you.
You just miss them so much. All you want right now is their presence, not presents. You would give anything to have them here for just one more Christmas morning together. When you see that extra sparkly star in the crisp Christmas Eve sky, you will feel comforted and just know they are watching over you. This holiday season will be difficult to go through knowing that their seat at the dinner table will be empty. Though it will be empty, you just know that they will be there in spirit to share yet another Christmas Day together. So this holiday season, remember all the good times and never forget that those loved ones that could not be here this year made you who you are today, and that is the only present that means the most.
