Tristy Loves Ozzy: Finding Joy in Memories, Rituals, and the Holidays
by: Jessica Evans, BCSSI Director of Outreach/Caregiver Support
Some days, caregiving and life can feel heavy, and it’s easy to lose track of joy. For me, one very special day each year reminds me to pause, reflect, and celebrate life in a way that’s entirely my own.
It all started when my sister Tristy was battling stage 4 lung cancer.
On September 23, 2018, she got the thrill of a lifetime...a VIP backstage experience & meet-and-greet at an Ozzy Osbourne "No More Tours 2" concert, which was especially meaningful because she was a HUGE Ozzy fan. Seeing her radiant and happy that day was unforgettable. My son, a professional photographer, captured amazing photos from the VIP area. He even summed it up perfectly: “It was like her wedding day.” She never married, but in that moment, she was absolutely radiant...the kind of glow you can’t help but notice. That day, NOTHING...not even cancer...could steal that from her.
After my sister passed, September 23 became sacred: I declared it “Tristy Loves Ozzy” Day. At first, we celebrated together as a family, sharing memories and laughter. Over time, each of us found our own way to honor it. For me, it's celebrated by decorating my basement for Halloween, inspired by the VIP photos from that day—turning it into a mini backstage area complete with skeletons, bats, and Ozzy blasting on repeat. It’s my way of reliving that joy, feeling her presence, and keeping that memory alive every year.
I had never been one to decorate for Halloween, but on a whim—or maybe a nudge from my sister—I bought a posable skeleton. He now lurks in the corner of my basement, guarding a popcorn machine and silently judging my decorating skills. I pulled out the totes from our Osbourne-themed Christmas—the last Christmas we had together—along with the poster sized pictures from that day and set to work recreating the VIP area just for me. I blast Ozzy music while decorating, loudly enough that my dogs “Bark at the Moon” along with Ozzy.
Setting up skeletons, bats, and themed décor is more than just fun...it’s therapy for me. Each year it brings laughter, reflection, and healing, helping me work through grief and the challenges of caring for my mom.
While the holiday season is in full swing, my personal “Tristy Loves Ozzy” ritual starts before Halloween and carries me through the rest of fall and into the holidays. This year, as the holidays approach, I’ve been reflecting on what it really means to plug in to care. While this year's theme highlights technology or resources, for me... it’s about plugging in to joy, connection, and meaningful moments...the little sparks that remind us why we care and it keeps our hearts light, even during challenging times.
Whether it’s revisiting a treasured memory, creating a personal ritual, or decorating in a way that brings happiness, taking the time to plug in to joy is just as important as any caregiving task. These moments recharge our spirits, soften difficult emotions, and remind us that caregiving and happiness can coexist.
So this season, I encourage you to find your own way to plug in — to memories, rituals, or celebrations that bring you joy. It doesn’t have to be big or public...it just has to be meaningful to you. In doing so, you’re not only caring for others...you’re caring for yourself, too.
“Wishing you a season full of memories, laughter, and a few backstage moments of your own. Happy Holidays!”
Jessica
| 
