This time last year we were settling into our new home, and anticipating a Christmas without my brother. I remember talking to Jason on Christmas Eve after church, and then the three of us (me, Kenny and my mom) opening gifts on Christmas Day. It was a day pre-Chloe the cat and it felt like something was missing.

On this Christmas Day, Kenny and I are with his side of the family on the east coast of North Carolina, but the empty feeling that I felt last year isn’t around this year. Sure, I miss my side of the family, but I know that my mom has her son back (and my grandparents have their grandson, my aunts have their nephew, etc.) Jason arrived in Asheville on Christmas Eve, just in time for church services and lasagna (a tradition to celebrate my grandparents’ anniversary.)

There is no longer a holiday that I don’t think about our service men and women who aren’t able to spend the holidays with their families. It was at the top of my mind last weekend as we traveled through airports and any time I hear the war in Iraq or Afghanistan mentioned on the news, my heart goes out to those overseas. I know my brother will be one of those men again one day sooner than I would like to think about.

On this holiday, I hope you’re able to spend it with loved ones – family, friends, whoever makes your life full.