As I gather around my friends and family for the holiday to come, there's not a person who could fill your shoes. The empty chair where you sit will never be filled and your presence will forever be missed.

As happiness floods the minds of those around me, their joy on their faces unable to be hidden, I smile in return. There's something different. And then I remember that I'm short a loved one. I look down and tell myself to be happy, they'd want that. That doesn't work though. It never really works like that.

Instead I smile and go about my business. Everyone gathers to eat and I look to my side and you're not there. Oh yeah, I'm alone. I can't smile and joke with you throughout dinner. You're not here.

When it's time to say goodnight I find myself forgetting to tell someone goodbye and hug them like I do everyone and then I remember, I never got to say goodbye. You left too soon.

5

The holidays bring about such a sad and lonely time for those who are missing a loved one. The empty chair is more than just a phrase. Holidays are hard and not getting to spend them with the ones we love make it the hardest. So during these holidays let's try and remember those who are celebrating Heavenly style and say a prayers for the loved ones who were left to bear the emptiness of the chair.

In Memory of Jacob Downey, Richard Honeycutt and Joyce Dietz <3