Dear My Lost Loved One,

The holiday season is supposed to be the time when everyone comes together as a big family and spends time with each other. However, without you, it is not this "one, big, happy" family that everyone tends to think of. When you first left us, it was very hard for us. Sometimes we would fake a smile or not even feel like celebrating anything. Nevertheless, as the years pass, it becomes slightly less painful than the year before. I think we have coped with the fact that you are no longer with us, however, we have not fully gotten over it. I don't think we ever will get over it. We will always be thinking about you and the special times we had together. Someone once said "Grief never ends, but it changes its passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love."

There will always be a hole in our hearts because we know something is missing, especially during this special time of the year. That hole will never heal. We will always hope, from the bottom of our hearts, that you could be sitting at the Christmas Eve dinner table with us, or watch us opening presents with us on Christmas. But you were taken way too early and we cannot get you back. We will always be dwelling on the holidays in which we had spent with you. We will remember the times where we had seen you sitting with us and laughing like nothing was ever wrong. We will remember the times when you told us you loved us. The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but it doesn't feel like it with you gone. The traditions aren't the same anymore. I think it hurts more around the holidays because we knew that every year we were going to see you and spend time together, and now we can't. Now, everything has changed.

Even though our grief has dwindled over the years, our love for you will never die. We keep your spirit alive in our hearts. We like keeping your memory alive throughout our traditions and we hope that you appreciate that. I hope you are looking down on us and smiling. Also, I hope you are proud of the people we have turned into and how much we have grown since you left us. I hope you are always giving us your blessing in everything that we do. Lastly, I hope you are joining us, by our sides, during this holiday season. We miss you so much and we all still wish you were here with us every single day.

Love always,

The Family You Left Behind