To The Grandparent Who Wasn't Here This Past Christmas
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To The Grandparent Who Wasn't Here This Past Christmas

Christmas isn't Christmas without you.

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To The Grandparent Who Wasn't Here This Past Christmas
Ashley Newcombe

Sadly, this wasn't the first Christmas without you. There have been six Christmasses since you have been gone, but that doesn't mean anything because it doesn't get easier as the years go by.

For our family, Christmas used to be such an exciting and happy time. Sure, we still have fun now, but it isn't the same and it hasn't been since you left us.

Christmas was my favorite day out of the entire year. Everyone came together and we just enjoyed each other's company. I can remember you sitting in your chair, just looking at everyone. You were so happy and just so proud of the family that you created. I watched you every year smile from ear to ear, watching how happy the little cousins were when they received the toy they wanted. I could tell that was the highlight of your week. I would give anything to see that smile one more time.

Our first Christmas without you wasn't really Christmas. Everything for that year was planned. We had already begun baking and wrapping the presents. But three days before Christmas that year, our lives changed: We lost the heart and soul of our family. I will never forget that Christmas because that was the year no one was smiling, no one was happy, no one talked, and no one could believe you were really gone.

As the years go by and the holiday comes and goes, it doesn't get any easier. But we realized something that Christmas: We realized that life is precious and can end at any given moment. We realized we needed to cherish the holidays we had left with the rest of our the family. We realized not to take a single Christmas for granted because it could very well be the last.

This year was our sixth Christmas without you. It was the sixth year I haven't seen your smile, and the sixth year we had to celebrate without you. It never gets easier, but somehow we learn to adjust. You may not have been here to celebrate with us, but we never forgot about you.

For the past five years, we had sat around the table and told stories about you. Us grandkids got to hear how amazing and outgoing our Grandpa was in his younger days, your sons got to remember what a fun parent you were, and Grandma got to remember why she fell in love with you in the first place.

After that awful Christmas, we weren't sure how to move on and celebrate another one. We never thought we would be able to without you being there. We lost the rock of our family that year. You made the holidays so special and memorable. The thought of not being able to celebrate with you anymore was unimaginable. But over time we learned how to adjust to our new Christmas.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that you celebrated with your parents and siblings. The holidays will never be the same without you no matter how many years pass by.

I'll love and miss you always. Thank you for giving me 12 perfect Christmasses with you.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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