HI'll be ok. Merry Christmas to you, creators
@jennieberrie I'll be ok. Merry Christmas to you, creators 🫶 #treatmewell2024 ♬ original sound - Saki
The holidays. A time splashed with vibrant colors, family gatherings, and twinkling lights. But for some of us, the holidays can also cast a long shadow of absence. This year, that shadow feels particularly heavy on my heart.
My husband, Tom, the maestro of our holiday celebrations, is gone. From his outrageous (and sometimes inedible) attempts at gingerbread houses to his contagious laughter echoing through caroling sessions, he brought a warmth that lingers even now in his absence. We all knew him as Tom, but to me, he'll always be my Tommie.
This year, the laughter seems a little fainter, the traditions a little hollower. It's perfectly okay to admit that the holidays can be a difficult time when loved ones are gone. The pressure to be filled with cheer can be overwhelming when you're wrestling with grief.
But here's the essence I hold onto: the love we share transcends physical presence. While Tommie isn't here to raise a glass or tear open presents, I know his spirit celebrates alongside me. In the flickering candlelight, I see a spark of his playful smile. In the kindness I offer others, I feel a ripple of his compassion.
This holiday season, I'm embracing the bittersweetness. I'll allow myself moments of sadness, but I'll also treasure the happy memories. Maybe I'll bake his favorite cookies, a little lopsided in tribute to his "culinary skills," or watch our favorite holiday movie, laughing at the same parts we always did.
For those of you navigating the holidays with an empty chair at the table, know this: you are not alone. The space between the laughter doesn't diminish the love that remains. Let's hold onto the warmth of our loved ones, even in their absence.
This holiday season, I'll be sending out a silent toast – to Tommie, to cherished memories, and to finding pockets of joy even in the midst of grief. May your holidays, wherever you are on your journey, be filled with love and light, even in the spaces between the laughter.
