I just celebrated my first birthday without my Dad. Not that my Dad made a big deal about my birthday lately, but he always sent me a card and gave me a present when we got together to celebrate my daughter’s birthday (which falls three days after mine) or Thanksgiving (which is usually a week or so later). In a brooding moment alone, I felt like I was turning one year older with one less person on this earth who truly loves me.
Now I am facing my first holiday season without my Dad, and I can feel the sadness seeping in already. We usually all got together for Thanksgiving and we always had a dinner around his late-December birthday where he celebrated Christmas (giving us our Christmas gifts) while the rest of us celebrated his birthday (with a card, a non-holiday wrapped gift, and cake).
I know that life must go on, so I’m not hiding from the holidays. I am looking forward to seeing my sister-in-law and my husband’s parents this week, and I hope to fill the table with enough turkey and trimmings so that even my teenage son’s appetite is satiated.
(Me and my Dad, Thanksgiving 2009)
But even as we squeeze in extra chairs around our dining table, there will be an empty spot.
(My Dad and his wife, Thanksgiving 2009)
Is there someone you are missing this holiday season?
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sorry for your loss
my 'family' never gets together for thanksgiving so its just another day for me.
I'm thankful every day so nothing really lost here
Will keep you in my thoughts & prayers though
I'm so sorry:( All the firsts are hard.
This will be the 2 year without my Dad and the 8th without my Mom 🙁
(((Hugs))) to you too, Misty.
My mom still cooks the turkey–even if when we are eating at my house (she comes over early or loads it in her car!). It would be really hard to celebrate without her, but we would have to make new traditions, I guess.
🙂 Aww. I'm not good as responding to these scenarios, but I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with lots of happiness.
No clever reply needed! Thanks for your happy wishes. I will just picture you hugging that guy in the turkey suit …..
yes.
My running uncle… this will be the 2nd Christmas without him… It's sad, but I usually find myself counting firsts, seconds, thirds… this year I ran a half marathon to celebrate his birthday… and this was my 2nd birthday without him, and I truly missed getting his phone call… Hugs to you.
That was a great way to mark his birthday! (((Hugs)))
Big hugs Coco. My first birthday without my Dad (November 10) hit me hard and I didn't even realize it until well into the day when I realized he wouldn't be calling…and I cried a lot. I didn't usually spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with him, but come New Year's Eve, it will be one year since he died. I can not believe how fast this year has gone.
Yet another way our lives have taken a parallel course. (((hugs))) and Happy Birthday!
{{{hugs}}} I'm so sorry.