This will be our first Christmas without my father and our second without my brother. I will be honest, when my brother passed, i literally cried buckets of tears. Whenever i think of him or see photos of him i cry. These days i still get teary eyed whenever i think of him. I really miss him so much and forever i will. But, i don’t know and i’m not sure why i did not feel the same way when my father died. Yes, i miss him… we all do but it seemed like all of us had already accepted about his passing. Maybe our sense of relief just outweighed our sense of loneliness and grieving. Now that he’s gone, it seemed like a renewal. My parent’s house is having a big renovation, all the clutter that my father has been holding on has been disposed and most importantly i noticed a tremendous change in my mother’s aura. She has been smiling a lot, stress is gone because nobody is bullying her anymore and i truly believe she is happy. Of course she misses my father but she recovers quickly.
The holiday season would not be complete without the family, love, food and laughter. Gifts come second and it is not as important to me now than when i was younger. But for the kids, they are really looking forward to it especially those coming from my sister who works abroad. As always she would be home for Christmas and be the jolly Santa Claus of the family.
I know it’s a cliche but Christmas is all about love and happy reunions.
Sending lots of cheers… Happy Weekend.
“I sitz here while i wait for Christmas… hey Mom, how many days til Christmas? Will you buy me lots of treats as Christmas presents?”
my sweetpainteddreams 
So sorry to hear about your brother.
thank you arlene.. i still miss him a lot even if he’s already gone for 2 years now.
May this Christmas brings you and your family love, peace, joy and lovingkindness, Elizz.
(❁´▽`❁)*✲ﾟ*
aw thank you, that’s so sweet 🙂 those are what we all need not only during Christmas but for the rest of the year..
You’re very welcome, Elizz! Peace & blessings, （*’∀’人）♥
I think that we learn after losing a loved one, to cherish each moment we have with those who are left, even if sometimes it’s difficult on the branches closest to us on our family tree. We learn to prepare for those final goodbyes, but when those are taken suddenly without warning, there’s a longer time to adjust to their absence. Each death hits us differently, and when we’re off balanced, it gives us time to do work on our own psyches, so the end result helps us be stronger people.
That closing photo is a great one!
This time of year can be bittersweet with the loss of those who went before us, but also as you said so beautifully, a time for love and sharing xx
Forgot to say love the last photo 🙂
Best of HoliDaZe wishes to u this 2016 season 🙂 frum da’ Q in colorado … 🙂
Hello Q.. wishing you a happy and exciting holidays too.. from your friend in the Philippines.