When I was little I used to think nothing could touch or harm the people I loved the most. 

Well, then I grew up and life got a little complicated.

Christmas time used to be the best time of year. 

My Grandma Donna made it so magical by decorating the house from the roof to the ground.

Every year I knew she was going to get me an American Girl Doll, it was tradition. 

On top of the magic my Grandma Donna created, a family friend of ours would always come over as well.

The Richie family always came over and celebrated Christmas with us. 

Angie would always give the most ideal gifts. 

There was one year she and her family got me a watch and I thought it was so grown up of me.

Now you’re thinking, what’s the point? 

Well, the point is the holidays haven’t been the same since Angie or my Grandma passed from cancer. 

It’s like an emptiness or rather loneliness during the holidays, especially at Christmas and New Years.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love my family and the holidays now, but it takes some getting used to not seeing some of your loved ones at the holidays.

But over the years I learned it is okay to miss someone. 

Especially during this time of year.

I look at pictures of Christmases past, I think of Christmas present and I dream of Christmases of the future. 

Now, this is sounding more like “A Christmas Carol,” I know.

But I’m writing this because someone close to me recently lost someone dear to her. 

That got me thinking that obviously we miss our loved ones that cannot be with us any time, but it happens more often during Thanksgiving through New Years, or any special moment in our lives.

And you want to know something, it is okay to miss someone you love. 

It is not going to put a downer on your holiday spirit. 

In a way you can keep the traditions you did with them alive. 

Now granted, it is not the same because they’re gone, but it still semi-feels like the holidays. 

I miss the people I love all the time but especially around this time of year. 

It also does not help that I have my Christmas tree and apartment decorated. 

I keep thinking my Grandma would love how I decorated this year or maybe she would give me advice on how to decorate even more. 

It is those thoughts that keep me together during this time of year. 

If you are missing someone this season, I hope this helps.

Katelyn Eddington is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or at kdeddington@eiu.edu.