This past Monday would have been mom’s 83rd birthday. It’s weird how you can live your life and enjoy what you are doing, and then bam, another jolt that takes you back to the darkest hours. You question yourself. Could I have done things differently? What would I change if I could? Whhhyyyyyyy?

Mom’s close friend, Rosemarie called me on Monday morning because she was thinking of her on her birthday. She said her life isn’t the same since my mom died. Something is just missing. She said the ladies that got together to play canasta every week have not wanted to play since mom got sick. It was something that Rosemarie looked forward to. She did nothing for Thanksgiving and won’t put up a Christmas tree this year. So, if you, for one minute think you don’t matter, you are wrong. I think we all have the power to be a positive force in someone’s life, as mom clearly did in spades.

Tyler put up his Christmas tree in the TV room last weekend and put mom’s tree with her ornaments in the living room. It’s good. After a year in the house, he’s done a great job in making it feel like home for him. It’s a lot of house for a 27 year old. Tyler is traveling around the state for the next several weeks for work and found himself in Prescott, which, believe it or not, does not have a lot of restaurants catering to vegetarians. He found himself at Olive Garden, a restaurant we both always despised, but mom went to every single week. It was a favorite of Mickey’s. Anyway, Tyler was just hit with sadness, sitting there eating that icky excuse for Italian food. We constantly tried to talk her out of that crappy restaurant and go someplace with good food. We would both love to go there with her right now for just one more meal. You just never know what will trigger you.

Jenna and her husband, the other Tyler, are still in a constant state of sleep deprivation. Her greatest fantasy at this point is a night alone in a hotel room. I remember that fantasy well. Today is the first time she has ever left Sloan with a friend so she could get her hair done. It’s hard to do that first time, but healthy nonetheless! She is going back to work on December 21st and is looking forward to it. They love this little sweetie with all their hearts, but are fairly certain she will be an only child-lol! I made a donation to Planned Parenthood in their honor yesterday-it should be good for a laugh, and at this point Planned Parenthood needs the money! Jenna and Tyler are scheduled to close on their new house in January. It’s a wonderful place on half an acre, and we are thrilled for them.

Well, here goes another holiday season…wishing you and yours a peaceful, joyous one!