My Heart Is Full!
This is a time of year when it would be easy to focus on all that is lost. Knowing others who have experienced very recent loss brings our loss a bit closer to the surface once again, and my heart (and many Prayers) go out to those who are finding their way through the "firsts!"
This will be our fourth Holiday season since Jeff died. My second
Without Briana (and Matt) being able to spend Christmas Day with us. And
now this year, Drew will be traveling to Colorado to spend Christmas with
Briana and Matt. It will be hard not having him here; another
"first."
But, Briana and Matt were able to come home for a long weekend at the beginning
of the month! Oh my, my house and heart were so full! It was
SO GOOD to see them, spend time with them, hug them! I did not want to
let them go!
It
is hard to let go of your children but that is the job of a parent. Seeing them move into their adult
lives, making good decisions, growing in their careers, and
relationships, makes me so proud! It is what we, as parents, work
so hard for in teaching and raising our children!
I quoted Winnie the Pooh on the morning they left;
"How
lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
And
it is so true! How lucky am I!
I have been Blessed recently to be able to spend time with friends, some of
whom I do not get to see often enough! To be surrounded by all the kids
and some of the grand fur kids and other family members. To celebrate a sweet friends Birthday. To host a
fabulous group of amazing friends who love reading just as much as I do for
book club! To tour Up on the Rooftops with a group friends
and to enjoy a Christmas tour of the beautifully decorated Felt Mansion with a dear friend :)
Yes,
my heart is full!
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| Up On The Rooftops with friends and a visit with Santa :) |
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| The Chapter Chicks! |
And,
three weeks ago I added another member to my family! Brix weighed in at a
whopping 2 pounds when I got him on Nov. 29! He is, as of today, a 3
pound 2 ounce bundle of fluffy, furry, dazzling, energy! Brix is a
black pomeranian just like Bear. He is a smart as can be, funnier than I
could have imagined, so cute it almost hurts, and fills the house and my heart
with laughter and love! Bear and Nick have (mostly) welcomed him
nicely! Brix sometimes has a bit too much energy for the two of them but
mostly, they all get along well!
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| Brix, 8 weeks |
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| Brix, 9 weeks |
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| Bear (almost 11) |
Yes, it would be all to easy to focus on what I don't have this month but, I am
going to do my best to really focus on all that I do have! The
"haves" far outnumber the "have nots" and my heart is
full! I am not saying I will not have a melancholy moment or two, that I
will not be thinking about those I miss, for they are desperately
missed! A part of me will always miss Jeff! As for Briana and Matt; they are missed every day but, I am glad they will get to spend the holidays with Drew! And, although their jobs demand
their presence on Christmas day, and their schedules will not match; I am sure
Chase and I will be able to skype and share a phone call with them and for that
I am grateful! My mom will join us in the afternoon too.
It
will be a quieter Christmas but then I am sure we can count on Brix to liven it
up along with Bear and Nick!
My shopping is done, all of my crafting and creating has been completed.
Decorating the tree (and the house) is like taking a walk down memory
lane! Each ornament, represents something special in our lives! Wrapping
has not commenced but then, no gifts may go under the tree until the last
moment as Brix has decided that paper is evil and must be conquered, lol!
Fruitcake is in the oven (yes, I love fruitcake! And yes, it can be made
gluten free :) )
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| One of my new ornaments this year |
As for you and yours, please hug your loved ones tightly, do not take
them for granted, and please, "Make every moment count!"
Merry Christmas from my heart and home, to yours!
Brenda
