The presents have all been wrapped, cards have been sent, the tree is up and we are pretty much ready for Christmas to arrive. Sophie finished school yesterday and is very excited that Christmas is nearly here now. At the moment, I’m ok with the festive season. It’s up and down – I’m expecting that – but I’m just taking each moment as it comes. Reminding myself that it’s ok to enjoy the moments and the magic of Christmas as seen through Sophie’s eyes, and that it’s also ok to stop and allow the storm of grief to take me where it will too.
We went to the Christmas remembrance service at GreenAcres at the weekend. Sophie made a bauble for Jessica which she wanted to leave on her sister’s memorial over the Christmas period. The wreath I made a couple of weeks ago has clearly been enjoyed by the wildlife but we brought some beautiful colourful roses to go in her vase. It was an emotional morning, but there is also a sense of peace in taking time to be there with Jessica and bring a little of our Christmas to her.
Things that have made me smile this week
- Watching Sophie and Thomas having fun with Jessica’s best friends at their birthday party. It was lovely to see some of her school friends again but they all seem so very big now and I can’t quite imagine what Jessica would be like at that age.
- Watching the Strictly final.
- Seeing the children’s faces when they came downstairs on Sunday morning and saw that we’d put the Christmas tree up.
- Seeing Father Christmas at the Christmas remembrance service.
- Getting the shoebox nativity scene out and Sophie sharing her memories of how she and Jessica helped make it.
- Practising a Christmas song with Sophie for me and her to sing together at the church carol concert.
- Catching up with a friend over coffee.
- Going out for the work Christmas meal.
- Watching Thomas having fun at the Christmas-themed Tiny Talk session.
- Sophie’s delight at having a new Christmas jumper this year. It’s a bit big for her, but I’m hoping it will last for the next couple of Christmases too!
- Playing games at the church café Christmas party.
Celebrations can be hard when a loved one is missing, but you can still enjoy the season. All your photos are lovely and Thomas always looks super cute in his outfits. I’m glad you find singing helpful. Merry Christmas to you all xx
Thank you Anne. We’re very much taking it as it comes and enjoying it where we can. Merry Christmas to you and your family too x
I can imagine this would be an “up and down” season for you. Missing your daughter at this time of year is hard but you can see the joy of Christmas reflected in Thonas and Sophie’s faces. Your little guy in his Christmas suit is just so precious! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Louise!
Thank you Laurie, we’re taking each moment as it comes and trying to keep the magic going for Sophie and Thomas. Merry Christmas to you and yours too x
It sounds like you are all prepared for Christmas.
Be gentle with yourself.
The remembrance service sounds lovely. It is a lovely spot that Jessica is laid, even in the middle of winter.
Thomas is a very cute Harry Potter.
What a pretty Christmas tree. x
Thank you Kim. I think I’m carrying the grief better this year – I’ve learned to go with the flow and be gentle with myself more now. We’ll get through the festive season and I know Jessica will still be there with us. Hope you all have a lovely Christmas x
A green suited Father Christmas! I’ve not seen one for a while. I hope they are making a comeback. I appreciated the box , ball and button analogy you retweeted this week. So apt. I hope you didn’t mind the wildlife enjoying your wreath. The roses are beautiful and I’m sure the remembrance service was too. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. #wotw
The GreenAcres Father Christmas is always a green-suited one and I do love that he is different from the usual red-suited ones. I didn’t mind the wildlife enjoying my wreath at all – they’ve enjoyed most of my flowers over the last 18 months too! Hope you have a lovely Christmas as well x