Margaret’s last Christmas gift to me: the first article on EmpoweringU framed.

This Christmas season has been an unusual one for me. This summer, I lost my mother-in-law, Margaret. She and I had developed a close relationship over the last six years of being with my husband. Nothing can ever prepare you for the death of someone you love, even if you know they are near the end of their road as she was. I loved Margaret and felt a hole inside when she passed.

Margaret’s most beloved holiday to celebrate was Christmas and anyone who really knew her was included in her joyous celebration. Every year without fail, she wrote a letter about her family to update her friends and acquaintances about their lives over the last year. As one of her dear friends told me, “you knew the holiday season could officially start when you received Margaret’s letter. Hers was always the first to arrive.” She had a massive Christmas letter mailing list that flirted with a two hundred letter count.

If you think that was impressive, imagine the house being adorned with nine Christmas trees, each with their own theme. Christmas artwork that her four sons created with little hands still were hung and admired. A beautiful lit Moravian star with its soft glow hung in the window for those outside to see. Margaret was also a great gift giver, and I admit I will miss those thoughtful surprises! She did leave me with one gift that will last a lifetime: she framed the first article on EmpoweringU, in a local town magazine(pictured).

I have been living in her house for the last few months to assist my father-in-law and we truly feel her absence, especially in a barren house during the Christmas season that just doesn’t feel the same.

In the midst of this strange and sobering holiday season, I have recently received some unexpected gifts. Yesterday I received three gifts in one day! It felt so nice to be thought of and while I was not planning on exchanging with these kind souls, it made me feel inspired to reciprocate the kindness. I thought it was interesting that I did not receive gifts from these same people last year and maybe this was an act of divine timing to allow me to feel the Christmas spirit.

Beyond physical gifts, it has been an unexpected gift over the last few months to hear stories and anecdotes from her friends or acquaintances who knew her for much longer than I did. She was notably charitable in her old age, continuing to volunteer in her community and donate to organizations but I had a faint grasp on just how much she did and gave to others during her younger years. Margaret clearly preferred to quietly do kind deeds without speaking much about them to others. But those who she has helped, remember.

It has been a joy to hear people willing to share their memories of her. What a beautiful gift to share.

I will continue to miss Margaret, but maybe I will feel a bit more of that familiar feeling of joy that the season brings thanks to the kind, unexpected gifts that have come to me.

Warm wishes to others grieving their first holiday without someone; may find some solace in the memories you had of them and the magical gifts of the season that could surprise you when you least expect it.

Danielle Craig