Grief is a funny thing. And by funny, I don't mean "ha, ha." I mean it creeps up and bites you at the craziest times. Or maybe not so craziest. My mother-in-law passed away four years ago September. This is our fourth Christmas without her. In some ways, it feels like forever. And in other ways, it feels like yesterday. But for some reason, this year, all the Santas are getting to me. What am I talking about? How can Santas be triggering grief?
My mother-in-law loved Santas. Especially the old-fashioned ones or the tall, skinny ones carved from wood or stone. She had a bunch of them and would have a few out each Christmas. I imagine my kids would have loved to see them all lined up on a mantle or bookshelf--maybe picked a favorite. And now, when I'm in a store and see one I think she would have loved, I can't help but reach for it as if I'm going to buy it for her. She doesn't need it. She has something way better than Santa where she is. But the habit is still there. I have a few Santas around my house, too, of course. Some that were passed on by dear friends. Others I found too fun to pass. But I'm more of a snowman and polar bear kind of girl. And ornaments that are full of memories of things that happened on certain years. Still, as I see the Santas, I miss the woman who loved them. And think about how much of a kick she'd get out of her grandchildren and watching them enjoy the magic of this time of year. Bittersweet. Do you have someone you miss? Anything in particular about this time of year bring them closer to your heart?
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This is a place for me to share thoughts and ideas not just related to writing. Thoughts about what's going on in my life, about an idea I got that I thought shareworthy, or just a funny anecdote.
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