Dear Andrea there are no words that possibly could ease your pain. I have walked down that path myself. God knows and feels your pain, he sees your tears and I pray for you. Miracles do happen especially on Christmas Day. All the very best to you and hugs.

Oh Andrea, there is so much pain in this for those we love. I know I can't begin to understand how much your heart hurts. Here for you, always. Thinking of you, always <3

Hugs you dear friend - your pain and sorrow when your baby isn't with you comes in waves. Keep the faith, baby bird will be in your arms once again.

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

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.

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.

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

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