"The Christmas Mornings We Remember"
By Chelsey Klenke
Christmas morning is full of laughter, love, and memories. This Christmas will be our seventh Christmas that my brother, Kraig, is not physically here with us. It’s a different type of feel in the house without him here. We used to open presents late in the morning. It never failed that the one morning my brother decided to sleep in was Christmas morning. As a kid this was difficult. I had to anxiously wait for him to wake up. I would beg my mom and dad to let me open just one present. Eventually, he would wake up and we would open presents together. My mom always made us take the typical sibling picture in front of the Christmas tree in our pajamas. Usually, we both dreaded that moment, but now I treasure it forever.
As each Christmas approaches I try to focus on the memories we have with my brother rather than focusing on him not being here with us. It is difficult, but I am glad that my parents and I have each other and our faith that we will see my brother again. It does not make Christmas any easier, but it helps us to have that hope. This Christmas morning we will sit around the tree and look back on all of the memories we have with my brother and wish that we had to wait on him to wake up to open presents.
Siblings with a Mission is a non-profit, international organization established to serve and support siblings of individuals with special needs. All images are found on Google images and are solely used for education purposes. The stories and advice provided by Siblings with a Mission are not to be replaced by professional advice and counseling but to be considered as an additional source of support.
By Chelsey Klenke
Christmas morning is full of laughter, love, and memories. This Christmas will be our seventh Christmas that my brother, Kraig, is not physically here with us. It’s a different type of feel in the house without him here. We used to open presents late in the morning. It never failed that the one morning my brother decided to sleep in was Christmas morning. As a kid this was difficult. I had to anxiously wait for him to wake up. I would beg my mom and dad to let me open just one present. Eventually, he would wake up and we would open presents together. My mom always made us take the typical sibling picture in front of the Christmas tree in our pajamas. Usually, we both dreaded that moment, but now I treasure it forever.
As each Christmas approaches I try to focus on the memories we have with my brother rather than focusing on him not being here with us. It is difficult, but I am glad that my parents and I have each other and our faith that we will see my brother again. It does not make Christmas any easier, but it helps us to have that hope. This Christmas morning we will sit around the tree and look back on all of the memories we have with my brother and wish that we had to wait on him to wake up to open presents.
Siblings with a Mission is a non-profit, international organization established to serve and support siblings of individuals with special needs. All images are found on Google images and are solely used for education purposes. The stories and advice provided by Siblings with a Mission are not to be replaced by professional advice and counseling but to be considered as an additional source of support.
