Clark Griswold is trapped in the attic. You remember the scene. The comedy classic pushed the laughter aside for a moment and hits us with the chill of somberness with the ghost of Christmas past in old family films. 

Cold and shivering, crying and smiling, Chevy Chase drapes a blanket over himself and captures the emotion and reality that many of us relive this time of year. 

I definitely can relate. Do you find yourself in that attic with Clark? 

Forging new holiday traditions after losing loved ones is not easy. This time of year many people cover sorrow with laughter and depression with alcohol or withdrawal. Grief revisits us with smiles and sadness in a mixed drink of emotions. Pay attention to that this holiday season. 

Recently I heard new stories of our son Jacob who passed from this earth in March 2014. The stories made me smile bringing joy to my heart. Don’t withhold these stories they are gifts. Especially this time of year. 

Bring up a name. Share a memory. Talk about the departed. It brings comfort to us who need comforting. 

Nothing stays the same in this life. People pass and traditions die with them leaving only short reels in our minds of cherished  times of the past. Run a memory reel for somebody this season. It may be the best gift you can give to a hurting soul. 

Please share and be a blessing.