Christmas is just around the corner, and a stack of presents for your three-year-old son, Rory, is neatly piled up underneath the tree. Most of the gifts are from relatives, with a few from you, but Rory doesn't seem to be particularly interested in any of them.

Rory stands by the window, his small hands pressed firmly against the wall, eagerly looking out for his father’s car pulling into the snow-covered driveway. "When will I see Papa again, Mama?"

His young age is like a shield, protecting him from understanding the meaning of death. It’s only been a few months since your partner passed away, leaving you and Rory to celebrate the holidays without him.