Navigating Holiday Traditions

Here we are again – another holiday season filled with traditions, big family gatherings and reminders of who isn’t here to make the stuffing or hang the lights. The first Christmas after Brady’s passing, my neighbor asked me if I would be decorating the house to which I quickly told her no -- that had always been Brady’s job — swearing and all. She looked me in the eye and said, “Oh but you must. Brady lit the house up and you must honor him by doing as he did. He would love that.”

As hard as it was, I did as she suggested and I have continued to do so since he passed in 2021. The house isn’t as bright as when Brady hung the lights, but it is festive. On Thanksgiving, which was Brady’s favorite holiday, I still bake his beloved Mrs. Smith’s pumpkin pie and leave the empty box at his headstone. It always makes me laugh and I am always lifted by Brady memories.

My neighbor was right. While it will never be as joyful as our holidays together always were, I do love celebrating Brady by replicating and remembering his favorite things.