Everything Is Different

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas with family and friends. Our Christmas was nice, but so different this year. We had Christmas with the whole family (my sister and her family, my parents, and our whole family) on Sunday at my Mom and Dad's house. This was the only day our whole family could be together. Kristen and Bruce had to work on Christmas so we didn't get to see them. One of the bad things about being a doctor is that people need you every day, not just when it is convenient!! I am happy they were helping others though. We don't have a traditional meal when we all get together at my Mom and Dad's. We all bring snacks. I think we were all in a cheese coma by the time we left!! Here are a few pics of our Christmas together.

Bruce and Kristen, Grandma Tommie and the backs of Steph and Ryan.

Katie, Matt, Michael, and Wayne (My sister, Linda's, family.) Little Stinky is laying next to Wayne.

 

Ryan and Stephanie ( Linda in the background being Santa).

 

Mark with a beautiful snowglobe from Sis and Bruce.

Sis and Bruce with presents wrapped in Boston Terrier paper from Stephanie.

My Mom and Dad came down to our house on Christmas Eve and stayed overnight. I am so happy they were with us. I think we would have been so sad if it would have been just Mark and I, Ryan and Steph. We had lots of food on Christmas Eve and a huge brunch of sausage, egg, and cheese casserole, cheesy potatoes, and coffee cake. Before we ate and opened gifts, we went to the cemetery to see Wo. Mark and I had taken a lantern up to her grave the night before. It burned all night. Others had candles lit at their loved ones gravesites. We miss Wo so much, but know she is in a perfect place. They say that people that have passed give us signs that they are around us through coins, feathers, time, and butterflies, ladybugs, etc. Well, in this past week I looked at the time on my register at work for no reason. Once it was 1:11, and then it was 3:33. Yesterday, I happened to look at the stove and it was 4:44. Crazy, huh. There was a ladybug on the ceiling yesterday and one on my blanket as well. You might all think I am nuts to believe in this stuff, but if you have lost someone, it brings enormous comfort to get these signs. I always smile, chuckle to myself, and say thanks to Wo. Here are a few pics from yesterday.

Saying hi to our precious Wo.

This is the first time my Mom and Dad saw Lauren's stone. They loved it!!

 

Our beautiful tree.

 

So happy they were here with us!!

For many years we took pictures of the kids sitting on the steps before they opened their presents. We couldn't deal with only having poor Ryan in the photo this year, so we have retired the idea. One year Sis had to work and couldn't be here on Christmas. We thought that was sad. Now, with Wo gone, it is way too painful. Here are some wonderful memories from years past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a nice time opening presents. My Mom and Dad left to go to Linda and Wayne's house. We watched Christmas movies all day. I think my favorite is Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. The Santa Clause is up there too. We had a quiet dinner. I was more upset the days before Christmas than the actual day. Even though I missed Wo and seeing Sis and Bruce, I felt kind of peaceful. Grief is a very strange thing. It hits you at the weirdest times. I am grateful that it didn't hit too hard yesterday. I hope you all appreciated the time you spent with loved ones, because it is by far the greatest gift we could ever receive. God bless you all and have a wonderful New Year!!

Love,
-Pam