Christmas without #1

judges comment
Maple tree has a great way of telling us a story and pulling on the heart strings. She juxtaposes the joy and abundance of Xmas with the sadness of the missing family member. Using an empty chair as the image to describe the emptiness was very powerful. This is an extremely sad write that is thought provoking and makes us question our own excesses. 7 points

Judge's Comment:

A Christmas tale all-too-familiar is one such as this, where Christmas can remind you of what you won’t and can’t ever have… whether it be normalcy, sobriety, or just completion. We find, over decades of living, that everyone discovers empty seats at their table. The pain such constant reminders bring, during what’s supposed a happy season, never truly abates, for the best presents in our lives are the people in it. Thank you for bringing an important spotlight to a struggle we might not know or remember the people next to us are enduring.

-Stephen

The emotion here is so raw. I am sorry about your situation. Just know with hope joy can't be felt without pain, and I hope your Christmas wish will come true. Chills, so many chills.

I have read this when you first posted it, but I couldn’t comment. It gives me chills whenever I read it. It so sad, and gives away an empty feeling but at the sametime a heavy mind.

Im so sorry for your pain. Christmas and holidays magnify the absence of loved ones more so than any other time of year. Sending you warm hugs and prayers and all our best wishes for you and your little Bird Milly x