Holiday memories are so special, especially when you are remembering loved ones who have passed on. Doing things for the holidays can be hard though when you are grieving. All year long I am an introvert and the holidays come and usually, I’m all about decorating and baking. Earlier this year I lost my mom, and 2020 has been a bit rough. This will be my first major holiday without her. My mom always made the holidays special. She went all out to do what she could for me and my sister. There was always magic in the air during the holidays. I wanted to share a couple of memories I have of my mother. Maybe it might help one of you or make your day a little sweeter.
The Christmas Card
If you have read any of my older posts you know that both my parents are now passed on, my father passed away about twelve years ago. The first major holidays that I had without him are kind of a blur. I was depressed and definitely not in a festive mood. As hard as I tried, I was not very cheerful. My family did their best to make it special. My mother wrote me a Christmas card that year, but she wrote it out as if it were from my dad. She wrote all the things she thought I might want or need to hear from him. She told me how much he loved me and how proud he was of me. It made me cry, but I loved that she tried to make me feel better.
Teddy Bears
My mom and I had a special Christmas tradition. Every year since I was a little girl, she would buy me a teddy bear for Christmas. Each year a cute little (or big) teddy bear waited for me under the tree. As I got older it evolved to teddy bear figurines, jewelry, ornaments, and Knick-knacks. It was a standing rule that I get something ‘Teddy Bear’ for Christmas. I looked forward to it every year. Then one special year for Christmas I gave her a Christmas card that told her she was going to be a grandma. She was so overjoyed, after that year the teddy bears began going to my daughter. Now that my mom is gone this year, I plan to get my daughter a special teddy bear from granny.
Ways to Remember Loved Ones
Remembering your loved ones after they are gone anytime is hard and especially during the holidays. There are some things you can do to help you remember them:
- Talk about them.
- Share your favorite story about them.
- Do one of their favorite activities…
- Listen to their favorite song.
- Watch their favorite movie.
- Eat their favorite food.
- Make an ornament in their honor.
No matter how you remember your loved ones remember there is no specific or right way to do it. You do what is right for you and on your own time table. Grief is hard.
Is there a special way you remember your loved ones who have passed away?
