Today, I just want to say how thankful I am for FAMILY.
I have never loved them more.
Since Mom passed away, my family has changed. Some ways for the worse.
There is definitely a “hole” in our lives without her.
But my family has also changed in some ways…for the better.
One way we have changed is that, more than ever, we are all leaning on each other for support, love, and encouragement.
We are also trying to fill in the “hole” for each other that many of us feel.
My Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and my in-laws have been loving on me, like Mom would have.
My sister has been helping me with my boys, like Mom would have.
My brother has been sending me loving messages to cheer me up, like Mom would have.
My husband has listened to all of my “blog talk”, like Mom would have.
And Dad, well….where do I begin?
Dad has been our rock. I am amazed at his strength sometimes.
He will admit that he is a little lost without Mom. She just did so much for all of us.
One of the things she did was always attend my boys’ piano recitals. She never missed a one. This is a picture of her at Jonathan and Luke’s piano recital last Christmas.
She was so proud of them!
I was sort of dreading the boys’ recital this year because I knew Mom wouldn’t be sitting there beside me holding Eli in her lap, and smiling from ear to ear.
But this year it was special because Dad was there. He knew that I would be missing Mom, and I kind of think he thought that Mom would want him to be there for my boys. Dad was filling in the “hole” for me that night. And it blessed my heart.
(And that’s my sister on the left holding Eli. She entertained Adam and Eli in the hallway during the recital. Thank goodness!)
I don’t know how people make it without family. Thank you so much, Dad!
Dad,
I know that the past couple of months have been the most difficult of your life. I know that your heart aches in ways that I could never imagine. And I know that at times you feel lost without her. But you have been so strong. Your hugs are like medicine to all of our broken hearts. I don’t think you know how lost we would be without you! And I want you to know that I KNOW Mom is proud of you. She always was. You and Mom were “one”. And being with you is like being with Mom. We are going to make it through this. And I just want you to know how thankful I am that God chose you to be my dad!
I love you,
Traci
