Polish tradition says that an extra place should always be set at the Christmas Eve table for the absent or the needy. It was always a time to welcome people into our home. Very often, when I was growing up, these were foreign students a long way from home. This morning, I found a carol that addresses the empty seats at the table. Those we have loved and lost:
http://spuscizna.org/music/k-absent.html
This evening, my family will be joining other relatives for a Christmas Eve dinner. There will be empty seats for those we have lost.
