The holiday season is filled with wonderful memories, celebrations, commitments, family and friends. A mother’s love is unconditional. It supports and gives life to those entrusted to her and she guards this privilege zealously and with the utmost importance. A mother’s love orchestrates life so that those in her care are included, uplifted, loved, valued and will flourish. A mother’s love draws all in her circle into the holiday season with purpose, endeavouring to connect us, giving us laughter, hospitality, memories and valuable time together and our souls are nourished.

I live in Australia but I am born in France, Holiday season to me is all about spending time with my family. I am not able to see them every holiday so when I do, it's matter a lot to me. keeping all these memories in my head.

What matters most during the holiday season is that families take the opportunity to do things together and enjoy life as in the painting. By doing so they will lay down wonderful memories which will be invaluable when difficult times come, as they do for all of us.

Dad and Jenny are now gone. Suddenly and permanently the space they filled is empty. What about the holidays? Without you there, do we just carry on? Do we have the holiday and all pretend to be the same? Yes, we can do it, lets all pretend to feel the same. But there is still a gap.

As I grow older, each holiday season sees me reflecting on family and things that I love. I have eight siblings and many cousins, and with all our children and grandchildren the extended family is spread all over the globe, so we can’t always be together. But my painting of my little dogs, Mack and Molly, triggers my memories of summertime with kids and dogs and picnics on the local beach, as children ourselves and later with our own children. Family will always matter most.

During the holidays I have more time to see Deb. I've known Deb my whole life...that's 6 years! She's my special grown up friend and she's my neighbour. But Deb's really sick now. I like talking to her and telling her about things that are happening. She makes me feel happy. She's funny. I love Deb. And that's all I have to say right now.