The Empty Chair at the Table

Reflections on Love, Loss, and Cherishing Family Gatherings

One year ago today, we gathered at my sister Beth and her husband Rusty's home in Leon Valley, Texas for Thanksgiving.

The air was filled with the familiar warmth of the holiday—laughter, love, and the comforting aroma of a feast prepared with care. We took a photo that day, a simple snapshot of togetherness. Rusty was in the photo (far right), smiling as he always did.

But this year, things are different. Rusty is no longer with us. His passing has left a void in our hearts and at our table. Looking back at that photo now, it’s more than just a memory. It’s a reminder of how precious our time together truly is and how fleeting life can be.

Every family gathering, every shared meal, every hug exchanged holds a significance we don’t always recognize in the moment. We go through life assuming there will always be another Thanksgiving, another birthday, another opportunity to tell someone how much they mean to us. But the truth is, we never know which moment might be our last with someone we love—or even for ourselves.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. Sometimes, during these gatherings, our minds are elsewhere—on work, plans for tomorrow, watching the football game on TV or scrolling through our phones. But the loss of Rusty has taught me something: we can’t afford to let these moments slip by unnoticed.

This Thanksgiving, I’m reflecting on the gift of presence. I’m reminded to truly see the people in front of me, to soak in their voices and laughter, and to appreciate the messy, imperfect beauty of life. Rusty’s absence has made me even more grateful for those who are still here—those who continue to share the joys and sorrows of life with me.

As you gather with your loved ones this Thanksgiving, I encourage you to pause and take it all in. Say the kind words you’ve been holding back. Give the hugs that linger just a little longer. Treasure the simple act of being together, because these are the moments that truly matter.

To Rusty, you are missed and forever loved. Your memory reminds us to live fully, love deeply, laugh often and cherish every moment we’re given.

Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving filled with love, connection, and gratitude. Let’s hold on tightly to what matters most.