In a quaint, snow-covered town, the holiday season enveloped the streets in a soft glow of twinkling lights and the scent of pine. However, inside a small, cozy house, the festive cheer felt muted, heavy with absence. Sarah stood in her living room, her gaze lingering on the mistletoe hanging limply from the doorway. "Please take down the mistletoe," she whispered to herself, "because I don’t want to think about that right now." Memories flooded her mind, each one a bittersweet reminder of the Christmases shared with Jonathan, the warmth they once embraced now a distant echo.

Her mother bustled about in the kitchen, setting up for the annual family gathering. "Season’s greetings! Hope you’re well!" she chirped as she stirred a pot, her tone optimistic but stressed as she glanced over at Sarah, worry etched across her face. "I’m doing alright," Sarah replied, though the words felt hollow. She knew her mother could hear the longing buried beneath her voice, a sadness that seemed to settle heavier as the nights grew colder.

Outside, laughter rang out as families came together, warmly wrapped in each other's embrace. Holiday gatherings were supposed to bring joy, yet they served as a harsh reminder for Sarah of the empty space beside her. “Seems like everyone’s got someone to hold,” she noted, sighing as she watched people pass by, arm in arm, the twinkle in their eyes contrasting sharply with her own loneliness.

The memory of Jonathan washed over her like a winter storm. They had spent countless Christmases together, nights filled with laughter, hot cocoa, and comfort. “I know this shouldn’t be a lonely time,” she confided to the flickering lights that adorned her living room, “but it feels so empty without you.” Each year, they would put up the lights together, their fingers brushing, a silent promise that this time would be like every other — filled with love and warmth. But now, she stood alone, yearning for the intimacy they once shared.

“Merry Christmas, everybody,” she forced herself to say, looking into the mirror as if practicing for the world outside. It would have to be a line she recited this year without conviction, as her heart ached at the thought of Jonathan, wondering if he was still the same. She imagined him getting a new sweater for his mom along with the usual banter about late cousins; a scene she longed to be part of. Did he notice the absence of one less pair of hands to help with the decorations? She could almost hear his laughter, feel the warmth of his presence, but it was just that — a memory.

As she sipped her hot chocolate, the chill of the night creeping in through the windows, she realized she had done well, holding onto her every memory of him, but it had always been easier when he was right by her side. Tonight, their shared Christmases intertwined with her present loneliness, weaving a quilt of nostalgia around her heart. Sarah took a deep breath, letting the warmth of her mom’s cooking and the flickering lights comfort her as she decided to embrace the solitude. After all, while Jonathan wasn’t there, their beautiful memories would carry her through the lonely times. This Christmas, just like every other, may not have him — but it would always have them.