When Mom isn't here for Christmas...
- You know you'll be doing all of the cooking yourself.
- There will be one less player at the table when the family plays Nertz
- Your two part harmony Christmas carols will be replaced with a lonesome solo
- You'll pull out all the old ornaments and Christmas pictures from previous years and look through them remembering the good times and the laughter.
- You'll tell your boys about their Nana and show them pictures of her smiling and acting silly.
- You'll almost make it to 9:00 am before you feel your first tear fall
- Your house won't look like Santa's Village threw up all over the place and you'll be grateful knowing it won't take three days to pack it all up come January.
- Your sisters will call and you'll say it gets a little bit easier as each year passes. Then you'll feel guilty for saying it.
- You'll pull out the old home movies and watch as you tore through those presents like a wild tornado never realizing that the best gift you were ever given was the one who stayed up all night wrapping them.
- It will make you so much more grateful for those who are here for Christmas.
- You'll read 'Twas The Night Before Christmas to your boys and do all the fun voices just like she did when you were little.
- You'll want to make Christmas magical for your boys just like she did for you and your sisters when you were little.
- You're gonna be a bit of a bummer to be around every now and then.
- You'll miss out on all the ribbing she gave you for your total inability to wrap a present without starting over four times.
- There will be one less person at the table, but on the upside that means more stuffing and pie for you later.
- You'll think about all the great gifts you wish you had bought her when she was still alive.
- You'll decide instead to buy that gift and give it to someone in need. Maybe a nice older woman from church or the nursing home.
- People will give you a hug and tell you their favorite memories of her.
- You'll go to church and be thankful she is spending it with Jesus.
- You'll miss her so bad your heart aches.
