THE LAST CHRISTMAS

I woke up, feeling safe, warm

There was snow outside, it was beautiful, white, fair

The mountains were covered, it was bright, but cold

Inside was quiet, calm, different, but you were there

It was in a different home than I was used to

But it didn’t matter, because HOME was where you were

In my latter days of life, I realized that houses were just houses

HOME was YOU, and I was HOME

The smell of dinner cooking on the stove

The cookies, tamales, treats, activities, shopping was all a blur

It was a quieter Christmas than those in the past, without the sounds of little ones

But it was warm, safe, cozy and filled with laughter

I didn’t know that day it would be the last one together

54 years of Christmases, HOME with you

I never knew any different, it was just what was

I never wanted to imagine what that day would look like without you

I have so many memories of being a child

You made Christmas a day filled with peace and love

I am struggling so much with you not being here

I am feeling lost, sad and wishing you weren’t in heaven above

You left this earth shortly after that last Christmas

I lied to you in the hospital room that day

I held your hand and stroked your hair

I told you if you needed to go, that I would be okay

My HOME is gone, my safe place, my traditions

I just don’t know how to navigate the Holidays anymore

You were the reason my love for Christmas was so strong

You taught me that Christmas came from the HEART, not a store

People say it will get better, but I will never be the same inside

A piece of me left that day with you

There is a hole in my heart, that only you can fill

The only color in my life now is blue

Merry Christmas to you in heaven, mom

I pray I can feel your presence this year from above

Just know, you are so loved and missed down here

May our Christmases continue to always be filled with LOVE

I MISS YOU MOM! KT 12/22/25