This season, celebrate a loved one’s presence

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate Christmas, we may be painfully aware of those who are no longer with us those who have been an important part of our lives. Whether they died this year or 20 years ago, we still miss them.

We do not want them to be forgotten and rituals are a meaningful and powerful way to do that. Over the years, I’ve gathered suggestions from others. Perhaps you might find one that is useful for you.

• Light a candle and place it in a special place in your home to symbolize the person’s presence. • Plant a tree in your yard or in a favorite place the person liked to visit.

• Make a memory box. Place items and photographs that hold memories into the box, and share it with each other.

• Plant flowers in your yard or at the burial site, if allowed. Or donate flowers to a park, school or public place in the person’s memory.

• Set up a scholarship fund to a local school in the person’s name and notice the joy you experience each year as a student receives that scholarship in your loved one’s name.

• Sing songs or read poetry that were favorites of your loved one.

• Give to a charity or donate a book to a library each year in the person’s name.

• Celebrate with a meal of the person’s favorite foods. Tell stories about the person and pass around pictures of times you enjoyed together.

It’s not the same as having your loved one with you, but it helps to keep the spirit of your loved one’s presence when you gather with family and friends.