The holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and family. With the gathering of family comes the giving and receiving of more hugs than any other time of year. I’m especially blessed with a family of good huggers.

What does this mean?

Well, a good hug conveys a person's sincerity and their concern for your wellbeing. It is also welcoming and friendly, not awkward or forced. And lastly, a good hug brings joy and comfort to even the darkest of times. These are the traits of a good hug and my family has come to master it.

But this holiday season was different than any before. Although I received more hugs than any time in my life, it wasn’t out of happiness. This holiday season my family felt the loss of one very specific hug as my grandma went to be with the Lord on December 10. She was the true master of a good hug. No matter who you were, my grandma was always there to welcome or comfort you. Since that day, people have given me and my family more hugs than we could ever count.

But I quickly learned that none could replace the one that we lost.

My grandma radiated the love of Christ in all she did. She did not just talk about her faith but lived it in her every action. And her hugs were a tangible form of the love of Christ that she so freely shared with others. She gave not just good, but great hugs. It was evident that they were given with true love and joy.

Every day I feel that loss of the wonderful person that was my grandma, but I am also reminded to treasure all that I have now. This loss has made it evident that there is no way to know when it will be our last month, week, or day.

For that reason, it is important to treasure those that are with us now.

So, go spend time with your family and friends.

Tell them that you love them.

And please, please hug them while you still can.