answer:My dad is the closest relative that has passed away. On the first anniversary I noticed it was coming up about a week ahead of time and just sort of counted down until the date of his death. On that date I said out loud, to him, that I missed him and hoped things were better now than they were before he died. On the second year, about a week out, it came into my consciousness again and I counted down the days, usually in the morning, until the anniversary, at which time I again told him I missed him and hoped all was well. I imagine it will be similar this year, just a little less painful.