BY DAWN REED

I cried in Hobby Lobby this week.

Because I missed my mom.

Walking down the Thanksgiving and Christmas aisles, I was overwhelmed with a yearning for my sweet mother, who is now in heaven. The wrapping paper had me longing for her presence.

Thanksgiving memories gushed forth. One year, not too long ago, I remembered her wrestling the largest turkey from the freezer at Food City. She lugged it to the buggy as I asked if she thought it might be too big. She did not. Each night before Thanksgiving, she and my Aunt Pat chatted as they cut celery and onions into microscopic pieces for the dressing. Then the day of, there was mashed potatoes, gravy stirred to perfection, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce from the can and some not. Uncle Red carved the meat. I can smell it all as I type.

There were so many things I took for granted as a kid. I was oblivious to the importance of the holiday meal, being called to the table when dinner was served. I paid no nevermind to how the magic happened. It seemed to appear from nowhere. I had no concept of how many trips to the grocery store it had taken.

Now much older, I savor the memories as much as I savor the tastes of our holiday meals. This year, we will miss faces that graced the table for so long. Some have moved; many are celebrating in heaven. New faces are joining us, and we are thankful.

No doubt this holiday season will have you remembering and missing loved ones, too. Thanksgiving is a time of family and feasts, ushering in what is often called the most wonderful time of the year: Christmas. It may not feel like the most wonderful time of the year if you have suffered loss.

As the festive days approach, I’m making some holiday choices; not just turkey or ham, pumpkin pie or banana pudding.

I’m choosing joy – my mother’s favorite word. I’m choosing to remember the good things of the past and not linger on the bad.

I’m choosing to celebrate the victories God brought about this year. I may even write a Psalm like David.

I’m choosing to reflect on those courageous Pilgrims even though my Christmas tree has been up for a month.

When my heart is stirred over missing my mom, I’m choosing to think about where she is now. I’m choosing to picture her singing around the throne in heaven along with others I love. They are with Jesus in Paradise, so I’m quite sure they aren’t missing the turkey down here.

While I know nothing bad is in heaven (Revelation 21:4), I wonder if they still have good memories of past holidays. Will they smile and maybe wink across the way at each other? My mind spins with possibilities.

I’m choosing to remember my mom is the one who taught me to love the Lord and trust Him no matter what. That includes holidays when she is in our hearts but not at the table. Psalm 100:4-5 shares delicious words to relish: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving … give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”