CHRISTMAS DINNER 2024
Finding Joy Amidst Grief: Christmas 2024 Without Mom
This Christmas feels different. The lights still twinkle, the carols still play, and the world continues to celebrate—but for me, there’s a profound emptiness. This is the first Christmas without my mom, and the season has taken on a bittersweet hue.
Mom always loved Christmas. She was the heart of every celebration, from hanging ornaments with care to baking cookies that filled the house with warmth and sweetness. Her laughter was the melody of our holidays, her hugs the gift I looked forward to the most. This year, her absence is loud, and the silence it leaves behind is deafening.
As I navigate this season of grief, I’ve found myself reflecting on what Mom taught me about Christmas. She always said it wasn’t about the gifts or the perfect decorations; it was about love, family, and the moments we share. Even in her absence, I feel her guiding me, reminding me that her spirit lives on in the traditions and values she instilled.
So, I’ve decided to honor her memory by keeping our favorite traditions alive. I’ll play her favorite carols, make her signature hot chocolate, buñuelos and bake cookies just the way she liked them—maybe even with a tear or two in the dough. It’s not the same without her, but it’s a way to feel close to her, to carry her love forward.
If you’re grieving this Christmas, know that it’s okay to feel the loss deeply. It’s okay to cry when a certain song plays or when you see her handwriting on an old recipe card. But it’s also okay to smile, to find moments of joy in the memories, and to let the love of those around you bring light to the darkness.
This Christmas, I’ll light a candle for Mom. It will sit next to my Christmas tree as a symbol of her love and the light she brought into my life. And even though the ache of missing her will remain, I’ll do my best to celebrate as she would have wanted—with love, laughter, and gratitude.
To anyone facing a loss this Christmas, you’re not alone. Together, we can honor those we’ve lost by cherishing the memories, embracing the love they gave us, and finding ways to keep their spirit alive in our hearts.
Wishing you peace, warmth, and moments of comfort this Christmas.
With love,
Pekita…