Christmas 2009This is the first year without Mom. It was one of the hardest days that I have had thus far since Mom's passing. Christmas was one of Mom's favorite holidays. She loved giving and seeing the excitement and joy everyone had at her house. Mom started shopping early and most of the presents we had at Christmas were from Mom. These gifts I will treasure forever. She bought Amy a Blessing's Isabel Bloom. She wanted to get both of us the same one but only had one bought. Patrice and Bobbi went in together and bought another Blessing's angel for me. What a thoughtful and nice thing they did. Tabitha bought me a Christmas ornament that I will cherish forever, too. I am so blessed to have such a caring and loving family. This Christmas I wanted to do something special for my family. Patrice helped me out on some of the ideas. I got all the boys a Mother/Son Willow Tree Angel and then Amy and Dad I got an Isabel Bloom. Amy's Isabel bloom is called "A friend like you" and Dad's is called, "Love One Another." And then I bought a frame that says " One of the best ways to have a little Heaven in your home. Is to have someone you Love in Heaven." I then wrote a letter to each one of the boys, Amy and Dad. I made the letter from Mom. I put in each letter something Mom had said to me about them. For example: Jeff, Mom always told me Jeff would make a wonderful husband someday. I wanted to give them something that they can keep forever. Even though Mom wasn't with us. It felt like she was with us. We had a lot of laughs and tears. We shared many memories we have of Mom. I'm sure she was laughing right a long with us.
Dancing together Christmas Eve night!
One of my favorites
Brother and Sister Kisses!
Presents at Dad's house
Presents at Dad's house
Breckin just waking up and seeing Santa did come!
Chairs Amy found and put their names on!
Breckin and I! I love having a son. He is my baby boy!
Maraya and I on Christmas Eve. Breckin was our photographer.
Dad and I Christmas Eve Night 09
Dad and I Christmas Eve Night 09
One of the presents dad got. I love it!
Dad bought me a Friend Like you Isabel Bloom, too! Jason bought me the Willow Tree angel. It is the Guardian Angel "May you always have an Angel to watch over you."
Amy and Justin putting Mom's Tree up.
Our Christmas Tree to Mom. We put bulbs on with each one of our names.
We noticed Mom had a visitor. Deer prints were on Mom's grave!
This poem Amy handed out to everyone!
Just a Memory Away
I'm no longer by your side
But there's no need to weep;
I've left sweet recollections
I'm hoping you will keep.
Eternal joy and memories
Stay in our hearts forever.
Strengthening our special bond
That parting cannot sever.
Now it's time to journey on,
So let your faith be strong,
For I am in a better place...
I'm home where I belong.
And if times of loneliness
Bring sorrow and dismay,
Don't despair, for I am there...
Just a Memory Away!
Dad bought me a Friend Like you Isabel Bloom, too! Jason bought me the Willow Tree angel. It is the Guardian Angel "May you always have an Angel to watch over you."
Amy and Justin putting Mom's Tree up.
Our Christmas Tree to Mom. We put bulbs on with each one of our names.We noticed Mom had a visitor. Deer prints were on Mom's grave!
This poem Amy handed out to everyone!
Just a Memory Away
I'm no longer by your side
But there's no need to weep;
I've left sweet recollections
I'm hoping you will keep.
Eternal joy and memories
Stay in our hearts forever.
Strengthening our special bond
That parting cannot sever.
Now it's time to journey on,
So let your faith be strong,
For I am in a better place...
I'm home where I belong.
And if times of loneliness
Bring sorrow and dismay,
Don't despair, for I am there...
Just a Memory Away!
oh jana...what a wonderful and sad post all in one. your pictures and children are beautiful. you look great! the amount of presents at your dad's is insane! the kids dancing is adorable. I love your family gift with your names on it. I love the saying on the frame you got your dad and all the gift ideas you had picked out special. I'm sure they were loved by everyone. I'm glad you got to feel your mom with you a little extra and I wish i would have been there to give you a big hug and cry with you too. Your mom always was such a light in the room on Christmas Eve at Grandmas. You just knew that she couldn't wait almost more than you kids to get home and watch you guys open the gifts she spent so much time choosing for you all. I can't imagine how hard each day is..not to mention the "special" ones. The little tree at her grave is so festive.
ReplyDeleteKnow I think about your family and pray for you all often.
Awe Jana, I love your post. I saw it last night, but I was so tired that I thought I would wait until this morning to read it so I could feel your thoughts. I think you all did such a wonderful job keeping your mom's spirit in your home on this special holiday. She got to be with you on Christmas even though she wasn't there in body and she also got to spend a very wonderful Christmas with our Heavenly Father.
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