Holiday Blues: The Empty Seat

This will be our first year with one empty seat at the dinner table. We have a huge family and while it will be every bit as loud as it always is, in the back of my mind I will be thinking about my dad. I've been trying to think of a new tradition so that my kids and nieces can think about him instead of just rushing for the toys or cakes. I'll definitely put a picture on his chair and make his favorite meat and raisin empanadas. I just don't know what else I should do. Any ideas?

Melina: Fill the empty seat with memories. Ask your children to tell their favorite story and you share yours with them. Then I remember Grandpa, I will smile because... The joy of having the memories of someone you love will hopefully dilute the sense of loss you must be feeling at this time. Best wishes for the holidays. ~Barbara Tabach

My son passed in Oct. so I wasn't ready for the holiday in anyway. Before he passed he decided that we would deep fry instead of bake the turkey this year. So we used his idea as a way of honoring him and to start a whole new tradition. The men did the turkey which made things very different for us and it seemed to work very well. I put my favorite picture of him in uniform, in a Blackhawk helicopter ( he looked so happy in that pic) on the table for all to see. I would appreciate some ideas on Christmas traditions. Thank you, Linda Graham