It's a definite understatement to say that the 2020 holiday season has been a completely different affair than pre-New Year celebrations have gone in years past, and it's even difficult to rely on the in-flux entertainment world for good vibes. Thankfully, Jeopardy! is the gift that will keep on giving for a short while yet, with Alex Trebek's final episodes set to kick off 2021 with class and intelligence. No one is missing the late game show icon more than his wife Jean Trebek, though, who reflected on the good things in life following her first Christmas without him.
Except for a few thankful posts, Jean Trebek took a hiatus from social media in the weeks following Alex Trebek's death in early November. But she returned to post a very sweet message on Instagram that urged followers to never take life for granted. Check it out below.
In the picture are Alex and Jean Trebek's two children, Matthew and Emily, who are clearly two of the "blessings of beauty and joy" that were referred to in the post's text. No doubt all three surviving family members were enveloped by memories of their loving husband and father, respectively, during the Christmas season.
Earlier this year, the siblings took part in an in-family interview for a Father's Day article posted on Jean's Trebek's website InsideWink.com, in which they shared some of their favorite memories of their dad. And wouldn't you know it, when asked about a gift they received from him that they'd never forget, Emily Trebek talked about a specific Christmas gift from years past. Here's what she had to say at the time:
Typically, my mom usually gets the gifts on behalf of the both of them. However, one Christmas my Dad went out on his own and picked a bracelet for me. It was very special and I haven’t taken it off since.
That particular article also featured answers from Alex Trebek's adopted daughter Nicky Trebek, who is the biological daughter of former Playboy Bunny and Alex Trebek's first wife Elaine Callei, whom he divorced in 1981. The eldest Trebek step-sibling commented on Jean Trebek's post with the following message:
Loves of my life. ??
Jean Trebek's post also got some love from Jeopardy!'s Clue Crew member Jimmy McGuire, who wished her a Merry Christmas, as well as Days of Our Lives icon Kristian Alfonso, who shared a selection of loving emojis. The comments also included the following exchange with Maria Shriver:
While it's definitely hard for anyone to cope with losses during the Christmas season, or any other holiday or birthday celebration for that matter, it's nice that Jean Trebek has lifelong memories of Alex Trebek in the form of her loving children. That's worth more than even the biggest Final Jeopardy wager.
Jeopardy! fans can take heed in knowing Alex Trebek still has more episodes on the way. His very last episodes, taped just 10 days before his death on November 8, will conclude on January 8. There's a good chance those episodes will feature a Christmas message from Trebek, similar to his recent posthumous Thanksgiving greeting, which will likely inspire a new round of glowing adoration for the longtime TV host. While waiting to watch, head to our Winter and Spring TV 2021 premiere schedule to see all the new and returning shows hitting the small screen soon.
