****This is a re-post from last year, but still one of my favorite moments in seeing the spark reignite in my family, as if the light had been turned on and they looked past his death and forward into his life. I'll update next week on what gift they made/got for him! Merry Christmas****
Last Christmas my family started incorporating Michael back into Christmas by filling a stocking full of gift-cards, gadgets and more that Michael would have loved....but I could use. It was heart warming to see them remember and bring to life some of his favorite things and places from memories passed.
This year, my family arrived and handed over Michael's stocking. It was light. At first, I had thought maybe they had run out of ideas on what to put in his stocking. I slipped my hands in ready to grip on to something.....that something was paper. Sheets after sheet filled the green velvet stocking sporting his name.
I opened one up to see stories and memories written by those who had known Michael. Some that had only known him briefly, others that had just were affected by his kind and giving nature, and my family, who had seen first hand the makings of my soul mate.
I started reading one in front of them before I announced that I would rather read them in private at a later time. After my family departed, I ran straight to the pile of words that made up moments in time, like a child down the stairs to see what Santa brought. The tears streamed down my face as I reminisced and re-lived some of the magic and mundane moments that others had shared with Michael.
It truly was the best gift. For in reading those letters, Michael came to life in my heart this Christmas day... our love boiled in the cauldron in which is permanently located in my soul.
My chest pounds even as I type this.....with the love that never flees. It may feel dormant at times, especially those times in which I wish he was here the most, but, like any moment in time where i feel that, I am reminded that it is still coursing through my veins more then ever.
I love you baby...and am so in love with you. Merry Christmas, my love.
“A place in thy memory, dearest, Is all that I claim; To pause and look back when thou hearest The sound of my name”
- Gerald Griffin
that is so amazing. You have a great family that are willing to do something like that. :)
ReplyDeletewow. what an amazing family. much love.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. Last year my husband had just passed and I was still in shock and fog stage, but even so I was determined to be sure that he be remembered each year & brought up so he wouldn't be pushed under the rug in fear of me crying. So I bought every one an ornament & added his picture with a poem I wrote about him. This year at prayers before eating I incorporated remembering all those not with us and then before gift giving I gave a piece a paper and asked everyone to write a note of how Mike had touched them or a memory or what ever they felt like, we placed in a special box and later that evening we read them. It brought a smile to my face and was the only thing that me me truly happy was making sure he was still part of this family and this holiday which meant so much to us.
ReplyDeleteI really think that it was wonderful that your family does this. I help to know that others remember as you do.
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