The holidays have a way of bringing memories closer to the surface. Even after the decorations come down and the gatherings slow, our hearts often linger on the people who are no longer with us. December 28 is my mom’s birthday, and now it comes with a quiet ache. She has passed, but the love, lessons, and memories she gave remain deeply woven into who I am.
There is something about this time of year that makes absence feel louder. An empty chair. A familiar laugh you expect to hear. A tradition that feels different without the person who once held it together. Grief does not follow a schedule, and it does not disappear when the season ends. It simply changes shape as we learn how to carry it.
Remembering loved ones during the holidays is not about sadness alone. It is also about gratitude. Gratitude for the moments shared, the stories told, the love given freely. When I think of my mom, I think of her warmth, her strength, and the way she showed up for the people she loved. Missing her is a reflection of how deeply she mattered.
These moments remind us how important it is to spend time with the people we love while we can. Life moves quickly, and it is easy to put things off or assume there will always be more time. The truth is we are only here for a short while. The conversations, the shared meals, the simple moments all become precious memories far sooner than we expect.
One meaningful way to honor those who are gone is to preserve their stories. Write things down. Take notes on family history, milestones, and everyday moments. Record the little details that might otherwise fade with time. These stories become a gift to future generations, a way for them to know where they come from and who shaped the family before them.
As we move through the holidays and into the new year, let us remember those we miss with love and intention. Hold space for the memories. Share the stories. Hug your loved ones a little tighter. Say the things that matter. In doing so, we keep those who are gone alive in the ways that truly last.