This Christmas will be a little bit different with two of our family members missing this year - Symon’s Mum (Grandma) and my Nana (June Nan).

It felt strange this year not purchasing them their usual Christmas treats. Mum Drake always loved and looked forward to her annual homemade calendar featuring photos of the kids, grandkids and great grandkids from throughout that previous year.

While June Nan always loved her chocolate covered ginger. She knew I got it for her every year, but without fail would act surprised.

Memories are funny things, often triggered by locations, smells and traditions. This means occasions like Christmas are filled with treasured memories and often time when loss is involved it can make those seasons extra hard.

I still miss my brother dearly, nearly 23 years later, but cherish one of my most favourite Christmas memories with him as a child. 

It feels just like the scene off “A Christmas Story” (no not the part with the leg lamp) but the part where the family are gathered around the Christmas tree and all the presents have been opened, then the Dad points out something hidden over to the side of the room, and there Ralphie finds his dream toy - yet in my memory my Dad pointed out an odd shaped gift and it was a surprise for my brother. It turned out to be his very own unicycle! 

I remember feeling so excited for my brother. The shock, surprise and joy was equally mine as well as his, even through the gift was not for me. That summer my memories are full of my brother learning to ride that unicycle. He spend many hours learning to ride it in our passage way then out on the back lawn holding a rope strung up across the section until he mastered it.

Loss can ring extra loud at this time of year, but when I start to remember the good memories and cherish them with a thankful heart the deep loss melts into joy, thankful to God for the precious gift of those we love greatly.