Christmas Without Mom
When someone dies, you go through a lot of "firsts". My mother died March 10, 2006. I have already gone through a series of "firsts" without my mom. Mothers Day, her birthday (July 3rd), Independence Day (her favorite holiday), Halloween (in which she always fixed a big pot of chili for all visitors), Thanksgiving, and now, Christmas.
Christmas was my mom's second favorite holiday (behind Independence Day). She was a wonderful hostess and cook. She decorated her house and everyone was welcome to feel the special spirit of Christmas. She made wonderful fudge and "white" fruitcake, a much better version of fruitcake than the traditional fruitcake that gets recycled and sent from year to year.
I never remember growing up when my parents did not provide a nice Christmas. I'm sure that some years were lean, monetarily, but we always managed to celebrate and never went without. When we were younger, we always went to my Maternal Grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Karren in American Fork, for a delicious breakfast. Mother carried on that tradition and up until a few years ago, we always went to my parents for Christmas breakfast.
We have always spent Christmas evening at mom's. Always, cousins would "drop by" and she exuded such hospitality and warmth that everyone felt so at home. Homemade pies, rolls, candy and plenty of food and drink were shared by all. Lots of times we ended up playing fun games, cards, etc., with Mother right in the middle of the action.
All of this adds up to the fact that my mom is gone. I hurt so much as I think about her not being here to share her wonderful smile and spirit. I miss her company, her laughter, her cooking, her telephone calls. I miss her home being decorated for Christmas, and her wonderful example as a mother.
Christmas is not the same.
When someone dies, you go through a lot of "firsts". My mother died March 10, 2006. I have already gone through a series of "firsts" without my mom. Mothers Day, her birthday (July 3rd), Independence Day (her favorite holiday), Halloween (in which she always fixed a big pot of chili for all visitors), Thanksgiving, and now, Christmas.
Christmas was my mom's second favorite holiday (behind Independence Day). She was a wonderful hostess and cook. She decorated her house and everyone was welcome to feel the special spirit of Christmas. She made wonderful fudge and "white" fruitcake, a much better version of fruitcake than the traditional fruitcake that gets recycled and sent from year to year.
I never remember growing up when my parents did not provide a nice Christmas. I'm sure that some years were lean, monetarily, but we always managed to celebrate and never went without. When we were younger, we always went to my Maternal Grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Karren in American Fork, for a delicious breakfast. Mother carried on that tradition and up until a few years ago, we always went to my parents for Christmas breakfast.
We have always spent Christmas evening at mom's. Always, cousins would "drop by" and she exuded such hospitality and warmth that everyone felt so at home. Homemade pies, rolls, candy and plenty of food and drink were shared by all. Lots of times we ended up playing fun games, cards, etc., with Mother right in the middle of the action.
All of this adds up to the fact that my mom is gone. I hurt so much as I think about her not being here to share her wonderful smile and spirit. I miss her company, her laughter, her cooking, her telephone calls. I miss her home being decorated for Christmas, and her wonderful example as a mother.
Christmas is not the same.
posted by Susan | 9:31 AM
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