Holidays and Angels

Do you miss someone this holiday season? Yeah, me too! Actually, I miss a few someones. My dad passed away in January of last year and my grandmother the summer before that. This year has been one of firsts without him, and to be perfectly transparent, it all hurts. Not receiving cards, gifts, phone calls and voicemails. The expectation of flowers on your birthday (one for every year of your life plus one to grow on). He did that every year since the day I was born. Now, don't get me wrong, people stepped in this year and made the flowers happen, but they weren't from my dad.

I am not a person that lives in the past. I adore the fact that my dad, grandma, granny, several uncles, mother-in-law, etc. are resting peacefully in Heaven. But, my earthly, selfish person wants them all here. I want Christmas's the way they used to be. Christmas Eve was reserved for my dad's side of the family, and Christmas day for my mom's. My mom is one of nine children and my dad one of four so, our family is very large. When the older members start to pass away the family seems to drift a bit too and it all hurts. I miss them terribly.

This season, as I am still working on surrendering a little bit of control. I want to again encourage each of you to remember the loved ones who are gone and to enjoy what you have while you have it. Gifts are AMAZING, but they aren't what you will most remember. You will remember laughing over a joke sitting around the dinner table with loved ones. You will remember silly rounds of White Elephant and that uncle that "sings loud for all to hear" even if in the wrong key!! You will miss the phone calls. Cherish it all so that when someone close does pass on to new life you are left with a smile on your face and a warmth in your heart. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours from all of us!!