Christmas is a time of memories

Evening All

As much as I enjoy Christmas with my partner who always makes it an incredible and wonderful time of year I cannot help but remember those who have passed on. It is hard to believe that it is now 15 years since Mum died and as another Christmas approaches she, my Father and all those we have lost are in our thoughts.

Mum passed away on 11th December after a few weeks of rapid decline and her Funeral took place on 18th December. I am sure you can imagine how very little we felt like celebrating Christmas that year. However, Dad was insistent that in some way we would maintain the traditions that Mum had loved and that we would sit down as a Family for Christmas Dinner - as Mum would have wanted us to.

Every Christmas, wherever we were in the world we could always count on coming home to a house full of excitement, laughter and good quality fun with the family. But it was not like that at all and it felt like nothing would ever be the same again. The previous year’s Christmas would forever be the Christmas my entire family can hold on to as a memory that we celebrated Christmas as a complete family. It’s one of those memories that I can, and will never allow myself to forget. It was a time of joy, love, peace, and goodness. Now all that we have is a memory, something that we can only reflect on and never experience again.

Losing a loved one so near Christmas was the worst Christmas I could ever imagine. It clearly was not the same, and can never be the same again. It is also important to remember though, that life does and will go on whether or not you’re ready for it. It is essential to cling on to those who you can lean on to for support in these times of hardship, and sorrow.

People you can depend on will inevitably become the stepping stone of your strength in pulling yourself back together. The blessings of a loving, and supportive family was the most important thing for me.

In times where your hardships are greatest, you will find that it is your family that you can count on to provide that beacon of light to direct you to safer grounds. As difficult it is to suffer such a great loss, it is comforting to know that such a powerful strength is still available to you. You will never value or appreciate the full meaning and worth of family until you’ve tested its unconditional love.

Christmas and holidays are special occasions where we spend quality time with loved ones: family and friends. Although it’s not always possible to spend time with them, take comfort in knowing that there will always be people who genuinely care for us and love us. Take comfort too from the knowledge that those you have lost are still with you.

Take care and God bless

Paul