The end of the school year was a whirlwind of non-stop activities for Ananya and her family. Not onl

The end of the school year was a whirlwind of non-stop activities for Ananya and her family. Not only were there school projects to finish or exams to study for but each child had class parties and extracurricular concerts, showcases and award nights to attend as well.

Not to mention Christmas events. There was the lighting of the Christmas tree in the town centre, followed by a parade and markets. The Willow Creek township held carols in Magnolia Blossom Park. Then there were the teachers’ gifts to make and cards for all the children’s friends.

School ended for the year one week before Christmas, so there was barely time to fit in the traditional drive through town to look at the houses lit up in festive style or get a family photo with Santa. 

Every year Ananya started preparations early and every year there was a last-minute rush at the end. 

This had always been Ananya’s absolute favourite time of year until she had lost Aarush. After that the sparkle was gone. Ananya continued to push through and complete every task but it wasn’t until this year that the joy in each began to build again. Overwhelming gratitude overcame her when she recognised the old feeling coming back. 

She recalled Jayesh’s words to make Aarush part of the festivities. Part of their day to day. She struggled to start with. What could she do? Nothing was ever going to make up for him not being here.

After mulling it over she began by planting a special Christmas orchid. In summer and over the Christmas season, it would flower with precious pure white blossoms. Then she asked everyone to make Aarush a special ornament. When they decorated the tree that year, and every year after, they could place each one, remember him and make him part of that tradition. 

Her favourite though was the stocking she made him to hang along with each of theirs. She suggested each family member add something to the stocking. A note, drawing or something else they might create. They would make a time in the busyness of their Christmas day to share the contents. These small additions were something at least, that would bring their family together.

For many years Ananya had made special parcels for those families at the hospital she had spent time with who had also lost a baby. This year would be the last time she would do it. Next year her time would be spent volunteering at the kindergarten Anika was attending. This was bittersweet for her. She would not lose touch with her families but it was time to move on. 

Anika needed her and she didn’t want to miss a moment.