Yesterday was Mom’s celebration of life at Athens. It was such a lovely day. We got to see and visit with so many people we haven’t seen in a long time. I think mom’s friend Penny put it best. “It was almost as though you could feel her presence in the room.” That was exactly how I felt too…. I think mom would have approved-it was her kind of party. Andreas and his team did a great job-the food was delicious and the drinks kept coming. The afternoon felt very warm and comfortable and it was everything I hoped it would be. It was obvious that my mom had a special place in the hearts of many people. Toi and Walter came from the east coast, my brother in law and sister in law from Washington State-we appreciate it so much! I loved hearing all the stories told both publicly and privately, and there was a small degree of closure.

There was something I wanted to mention yesterday and totally forgot. I wanted to thank everyone for the sympathy cards, that continue to arrive and the many people who made donations to the American Cancer Society and to TMC Hospice foundation. A few people tucked some money or a check in their cards, and I want to thank you for that. It was very sweet, and I will donate it to hospice as well. Thank you so much! A big thank you to Gina for the wonderful refrigerator magnets that she had made to commemorate the occasion. Lillian celebrated her birthday yesterday and Rosa today-happy birthday to you both!

Christmas was, as many things have been this year, kind of a mixed emotion kind of thing. We so loved having our family together even though someone very important was missing. Having Jenna and her husband Tyler here was such a wonderful treat! I could get used to having that be a yearly occurrence! Hint, hint…..Our son, Tyler hosted Christmas Eve at his place. It felt strange that mom was not there, but we talked about her a lot and made Wienerschnitzel like she often did at her house on Christmas Eve. The three of us cooked together, and after dinner we had cookies that Tyler made. We sat around the tree that he decorated with mom’s favorite Hummel ornaments and each of us opened one gift, like we used to when mom was with us. We will keep the traditions alive, even though she is not here anymore. She will always be a part of us and in our celebrations and our lives in general.

Christmas Day at our house was a wild display of american consumerism and excess. We had an embarrassing amount of gifts under our tree. I think we were all trying to overcompensate for our loss. It seriously took 1 1/2 hours to open all the gifts. Everyone took great care in choosing very thoughtful, wonderful presents. We had so much fun! And shortly after the last gift was opened, the first friend dropped by, and the day continued like that. Christmas Day brunch at our house always consists of Lox and bagels and mimosas, with people coming and going. This year we added a delicious breakfast casserole as well.

I feel like this is what our new normal will look like. We will have moments of pure joy and happiness interspersed with sadness and longing for someone who is gone. And that’s okay too. As long as we have ups along with the downs, we can’t complain. Here’s hoping for a much better 2016 than 2015! I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life!