Solo Survivor > Remembering > Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

Author: fordisky December 24, 2015 1 Comment

Christmas Eve is a day of mixed emotions for me. First of it is my brother’s birthday and I am flooded with memories of him and I feel afresh the loss. This year it also marks the 44th anniversary of our adoption – happy adoption day siblings. I have wondered many times over the years how different my life would have been if not for my mom and dad. Would I have even known or remembered my siblings? Where would I be, what would I be doing, what would my name be?

I always try to do something different to mark this day as I remember Terry and also the life we had as a family. Although we adopted my dad’s surname years before, this is the day it became legally ours. I am grateful that I grew up knowing my siblings – we so could have been separated at an early age and not been able to keep track of each other.

In years past, I would meet up with my nephew and we would go out for dinner and remember his dad together. Sadly we have lost contact so won’t be doing that this year. I prefer to phone my family on this day instead of Christmas Day. I was supposed to have the day off but at last minute had to go in to work for the morning. But then half a day is still better than a full one and I went in 2.5 hours later than I normally do.

Not quite sure what I am going with the rest of day but already I am full of memories and thankfulness. I am grateful to have had a brother like Terry – I miss him today but have a smile on my face as I remember the fun times we had together. I will eat some watermelon in honour of my favourite memory of him and watch a comedy as I remember his infectious laugh. I’ll have a mince pie and play some Christmas carols really loud and sing along. It’s not a day to mourn but to celebrate – five lives that were forever changed 44 years ago.