Irreplaceable

"Tis the season, a true Christmas story

Slowly opening my eyes, I smelled my mother’s coffee brew permeating my house.

She always stayed overnight to be with her grandchildren opening their Christmas stockings.

Startled, I threw my house coat on as I ran to the kitchen.

It was impossible for my mother to be here. Impossible.

My husband stood beside the coffeepot, frowning at my tears.

“I thought this would help, make you feel good, make you feel her presence.”

Earlier that year, my mother had died unexpectedly.

As I’d prepared for my first Christmas without her, my heart just wasn’t in it.

Twenty five years later, it still isn’t. Her presence is an irreplaceable gift.

Memories of her loving presence remain for she was the cornerstone of our Christmas celebrations. The light of her remarkable love shines in bittersweet memories at Christmas.

If this is your first or twenty-first Christmas aching for someone irreplaceable,

My thoughts are with you.