Holidays for me were forever changed many years ago and permanently changed when my mother died on November 3, 2007. Often during holidays, I find myself "faking joy" to mask the pain of not having my mother with us during the holiday. My mother loved Christmas and ironically my parents were married on Christmas Day. I believe this year would have been their 44th anniversary.
I am always amazed how many people do not take the time to "love" and remember their loved ones while they are living. So a simple task, but often put on the back burner. Trust me, do not wait. Because once they are gone, there are no more opportunities. Visiting a grave, going to their favorite place or writing about them will never replace seeing them in the flesh.
That said, we must never forget how they impact us, but we definitely must learn to live without their physical presence in our lives and realize that they now "belong to heaven" and we will meet again when our time comes to make the transition from the living to the land of Angels.
Mom-I love and miss you. I am passing on the gifts you gave to me to others.
