Last Updated on April 29, 2026 by Lisa Keys
This time of year always finds me "in a pickle." While I remain festive, merry, and bright on the outside, a layer of melancholy sits underneath. I am learning to manage that side of myself, knowing some things are better left unshared. Still, it threw me for a loop to learn that William also chose to hide a part of himself from his sailors and marines.
In a pickle
Almost three years ago, Beau, a marine, and Brent, a navy corpsman, brought my boy home. As they sat on my living room couch thumbing through a photo album of William, one remarked, "This is not the guy we knew." The other chimed in, "We never saw him smiling or hugging anyone." Military training demands a tough, unemotional exterior. William must have faced a difficult internal conflict, as that loving, smiling, bear-hugging side defined so much of who he was.
Let the photos speak for themselves.
Pretty certain you all thought I'd be sharing some kind of pickle recipe with you today, but I don't pickle. Why bother when there are so many briny delicious local products to try at the farmer's market? I will, however, share with you one of my all-time favorite family holiday traditions called "finding the pickle". It all started when the kids were quite little, but able to help me decorate the Christmas tree. After they went to bed, a final ornament, a pickle or gherkin, in our case, was hidden in the boughs. In the morning, we'd have such fun as Caitlin and William jostled for position searching for the pickle. It was a friendly competition with the most observant receiving an extra gift. It should come as no surprise to Will's military family that he was quite the eagle eye and usually victorious.
Can you find the pickle?
Mary Louise says
🙂 🙂 🙂 - to you and your family!
lisakeys64 says
you, too, my friend
Evelyn says
I enjoyed this one! I never knew the story about the pickle! But I'm not surprised William always found it. What a happy Thanksgiving that was in LEH. The memory of that day will last in my heart forever. Keep writing & maybe I'll hear another story I never heard.
Love you!
lisakeys64 says
The pickle ornament even travelled to San Diego with us. Cait and Will searched for it in our hotel room. Having us all together like in LEH was the best.
Janice E says
Lovely posting, Lisa - and I enjoyed the pickle ornament story. What a great tradition. Merry Christmas, my sweet friend!
lisakeys64 says
Thanks. I bet you make real pickles. I hope your Christmas is as beautiful as you are.
dexterlilo says
We have that ornament! I think we bought it at Epcot. I knew there was a tradition of some sort associated with it, but didn't know what it was. Thanks for sharing -- gotta go hide the pickle!
lisakeys64 says
Hide it well!....and watch the fun begin
Louis Matino (@LouMatino) says
Tracy does this as well. I forgot that she got the idea from you. Yes, the kids love it.
lisakeys64 says
I gave them out as gifts one year in memory of William. He really loved this tradition.
danielle says
What a great holiday tradition! I can imagine that was always so much fun!! I don't share all sides of myself that often but I am lucky to have John who brings out all my best self!
Happy holidays my dear friend. May 2014 bring you many, many wonderful moments.
lisakeys64 says
I imagine John a lucky man. May you be surrounded by the warmth of all those you love.
Carol Walsh says
I love the pickle ornament you gave me...it's hidden in my tree. Hope one of us can find it Christmas morning!
lisakeys64 says
Hide it well......sometimes I had to play the game of "hot & cold" with the kids and that is when the gentle wrestling for position would start.......William loved the bragging rights more than winning the prize
theculinarycellar says
We have a pickle ornament, too. Love your story.