Lindsay Simmons, a Texas-based mom, is on a mission to remind other parents of what truly matters during the holiday season. Just months after her son Ryan tragically died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 23, she shared a touching message in the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group.

In the Face of Loss, Cherish the Moments

Adjusting Christmas Plans

Recalling the experience of having to adjust Christmas plans last year with Ryan and her daughter-in-law, Simmons vividly remembers her daughter-in-law's question about the shift. "I didn't even have to think about that answer," she wrote. "Absolutely not. Life is too short to get upset about trivial things, and now I really know how short it is. We still had Christmas, just on a different day. And I didn't nag or get upset or create a rift. I just let them do what made them happy." This simple act of letting go of perfection and focusing on the essence of the holiday became a powerful lesson for her.During that time, Simmons also had a college-aged daughter named Allison. The family's journey through these changes taught them the importance of flexibility and making memories together.

Dealing with Grief

Ryan had been married just three weeks before his untimely death, and his loss weighed heavily on the family during the holidays. Simmons shared with Today.com, "It made me think about the fact that last Christmas, or when we celebrated Christmas anyway, I didn't know that was going to be the last Christmas I would have with Ryan. I'm so glad it wasn't contentious or anything like that. We just sort of went with the flow. I didn't want to ever make them feel like they had to be here and be miserable. There's no reason for that."She has been open about her grief on her personal Facebook page, constantly sharing updates and her deepest emotions. On July 14, she wrote, "The day you died a part of me died too."

Reflecting on the Past

On Dec. 3, Simmons shared a message about all the things she would have done if she had known her son would be gone this year. "I would have told you not to get on that bike," she said. "I heard you start it in the garage with dad. You just loved the sound of it. I stood in your kitchen and rolled my eyes when I heard it. I told your friend 'I will be so glad when he sells that thing.' I just had no idea, Ry. It didn't occur to me you would ride it later that night. I would have begged you to stay off of it. Just sell it. But you loved it. You loved the freedom that came from riding fast." These words show the raw pain and the longing for a different outcome.Simmons' story serves as a reminder to all parents that life is precious and fleeting. We should focus on creating memories with our loved ones rather than getting caught up in trivialities. Letting go of perfection and embracing the unexpected can lead to some of the most meaningful holiday experiences.