Dec 23, 2018 3 min read

Moving on after the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming, and dealing with grief during the holidays can seem impossible.

Finding a way to use that love to honor loved ones can help cope with that grief.

Melissa Radue lost her mother, Terri, more than two years ago. An only child, she was extremely close to her mother, talking to her multiple times during the day.

Radue’s children called their “Mum Mum” before bedtime to say good night. Her parents attended every school and sporting event, and were very involved in their everyday lives.

“How was I going to do this? Not talking to her every day? Now seeing her at all the kids’ activities? It is so hard,” said Radue, who admittedly struggles daily with her grief. “We know she is smiling down on us. This isn’t what I want to do, but she would want us to continue. She wouldn’t want us to be sad.”

Her mother loved Christmas, and would want them to celebrate, as they always did, so Radue and her family remember her with “Mum Mum’s Angel Tree” made just for Terri Kay Marino, who lived near Weirton, W.Va., before her death in August 2016 at age 62.

The angel tree is gorgeous. Complete with feathered angel wings, a pearl necklace as the

topper, and many champagne-colored, whimsical ornaments that catch the sparkle of the white lights. The tree includes ornaments her mother painted years ago, as well as a photo of Melissa’s late father-in-law.

Radue’s children, Whitney and Brayden, pick out new angel ornaments each year. Under the tree are gifts the children purchased at the Secret Santa Shop at their school. Beside the tree in their North Strabane home stands a photo of their beloved Mum Mum.

She was thoughtful, always making memories and crafting keepsakes for everyone. Melissa’s family treasures those items.

She was an integral part of everyone’s lives, so when they lost her, it left a huge void for all of them, just losing the daily calls to say ‘hi’ and to tell them she loved them. She called on birthdays and sang to them. She was the glue that held their family together.

“She is the missing piece to the puzzle of our family. Everyone tries to honor her the best way we can. She was a loving person,” Radue said.

The Christmas tree in Mum Mum’s memory is one of the ways the family copes through the holidays.

“We want to always keep her memory alive,” Radue said. “This tree is a way to remember her, and to honor her. Mum Mum is our angel. This tree keeps her here with us.”