Happy New Year and Our Family Christmas

Happy New Year to my Blogger Friends! Many of you know that our first born daughter, Sherry, was murdered three days after Thanksgiving 2007. This year I told my husband, Johnny, that I just did not think that I could have our family at our home for Thanksgiving. Johnny asked me how many years have we had everyone at our house for Thanksgiving. I replied that it began right after Sherry was born. He told me that it was tradition and that we had to continue it for our family. Thanksgiving was difficult but we clung to each other and were closer than ever.
On December 14 Johnny passed away unexpectedly in his sleep beside me. Our family is devastated.....but I remembered what Johnny had told me about Family Tradition. Johnny was the heart of our family. Our entire family gathered at our home and celebrated Christ's birth. Yes - it was hard - but it was something that we had to do. And yes....we are closer than ever.

Grandson Michael

Kristen, Joe, Daughter Michele, & Joey

Grandson Seth

Grandson Tyler

Tyler, Daughter Stephanie, Darren, & Wade

Mallory, Daughter Sheila, Benton

The grandchildren put on their new pajamas & slippers & posed for a picture.

When Mom was alive, almost every picture of her shows her holding up her hands. My sister, Cissy, Daughter Sheila, and I were playing "Mom."

Son-in-law Joe with Joey

Great-Granddaughter Jocelyn

Grandson Dawson

Grand Daughter Brooke almost fell asleep.

Grandson Austin

Granddaughter Ashley with Great-Grandson Mason

Daughter Amber with Payton, Dawson, & Austin

When those we love go away,

they never really leave us;

they are with us now, wherever we are.

Those whom we have cherished, live on forever,

for love wraps itself around the heart.

Although it's difficult now,

someday beyond our tears and all the world's wrongs;

beyond the clouds and all that we can see and touch,

we shall all understand.