It was two days before Christmas and I still felt numb. My husband Steve had passed away in late September but I was doing the best I could to1 the season. My two adult sons wanted to carry on some of our family traditions like our Christmas Eve Open House, but I knew others would2.
Steve and I used to put a special gift for each other under the tree. I made sure he had something 3, and he made sure I had something from Saffees, my favorite women's clothing store. Although Steve was no longer here to celebrate, I stubbornly asked my sons, "What should I buy for your dad?"
I 4 decided to name a star after Steve. I knew it was the perfect gift for a 5 enthusiast like him. I didn't mind not having a 6 from him, except that it was just another 7 that he was no longer with us.
Later, Bonnie, the manager of Saffees, 8, saying she would stop by and give me something. I couldn't9 what she might have for me because I knew Steve was too10 to have prearranged something three months in advance. After Bonnie arrived, I was11 to see her holding a beautifully wrapped present to place under the tree.
She explained that she12 our tradition and thus had selected something she knew I would like. She wanted to13 that Steve's traditional gift for me continued on what would be a very14 Christmas Day.
For one last time, our15 was honored – I gave Steve a gift of fun, and my package from Saffees was under the tree.
