Wednesday, December 31, 2008

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.

39 comments:

CJ, The Purple Diva said...

Oh, I am so glad to see this post. I've thought a lot about you.
I'm so glad to see that the family tradition is caring on in your family.
I hope that the New Year will be a happy and safe one for you and your family.
Happy New Year.

Neabear said...

Looks like your family is coping together and continuing as the special family you are. I am happy to see a post from you. I have though of you often wondering how you were doing. I love that beautiful picture you have in your header right now. God be with you in 2009.

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

I'm so glad you are able to post Sweetie. I am continuing to pray for you. May God put his comforting arms around you Sweetie.

Tootsie said...

you have been in my heart and mind all this season. I know how hard it must have been to keep it all together...and be such an inspiration to us and your family. I wish you all the best of everything in the new year we are about to get. If you need a hand to hold or a friend to cry to...I am here. I am so glad to see you posting. It is a truth that this week has been very difficult and depressing for me...and I have not blogged much...but the last couple of days, I have turned on my computer hoping to see something from you. Your strength and positive attitude in times of painful trial...inspire me girl. I am so glad that 2008 brought you into my life.
with 29 minutes left of this year...I am sending you a hug that I hope you feel for all of 2009!
Happy new year sweetie!

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Sweetie, I'm so glad that you chose to continue on the family tradition with Thanksgiving and CHRISTmas. Your hubby would have been very proud of you. This sure has been a difficult couple of years for you dear. My hugs and prayers to you.

Blessings,

Sher

Kathy said...

Your family pictures are beautiful, Sweetie. It must have been a comfort for you all to be together for Christmas. I am praying your new year will be filled with blessings.

Bridget said...

I know Pap must be so proud of you for hosting the Christmas this year and I'm glad that you all had Thanksgiving together.
May every day of the new year help you toward healing the pain you have suffered.
Warmest hugs from California, Bridget

bj said...

Sweetie, it's 1:25 am here in West texas and we had a wonderful party with our home church group and friends...i am sooo pooped but just wanted to tell you I think of you so much and pray for you to have some kind of comfort. I am so thankful for your sweet family...that is such a blessing for you.
I hope this New Year will be filled with blessings for you and your family.
Good night and I'll talk with you soon...
love, bj

Aiyana said...

Sweetie,
You have been through so much...I do hope you have a blessed New Year!
Aiyana

Bo said...

Dear Sweetie...I hope my words can convey the feelings I have for you while you recover from these past weeks. You are a brave lady and such an inspiration to your family & all of your friends everywhere including Blogland. Your home that you & your Johnny created is a sanctuary for your children, grandchildren & great grandchildren. I pray for God to keep you in His embrace and comfort you every day of this new year and beyond. Much love, Bo

Anonymous said...

Sweetie, I have had you on my mind so much during this sad time for you.You are so strong and just what your family needs to get through this. I've always known that you have a very strong bond with your family, it just shows, the way you post. I pray that you have a New Year with health and wealth for all your family. Keep in touch often, we have such a close and supporting group of friends here in Blogland.

Love Ya,
Chris

SmilingSally said...

What a beautiful family you have. I am glad that Johnny and you had that conversation; it gave you direction. I hope that this year will be one of healing for you as you continue to love God.

Anonymous said...

I wanted to let you know that you have been in my prayers. I can only imagine how difficult this has been for all of you. But, your Johnny must be looking at all of you and smiling. You are each his wonderful legacy.

Anonymous said...

Lovely blog Sweetie and music.Welcome back.Nice to see all the family smiling,even though inside we know theres some pain.Most of all you have each other to get you through this and most MOST of all you have GOD.Much love,Becky

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Sweetie what a beautiful family you have..I am glad to see your post..I have been calling your name to God..you have so been in my thoughts..I am here for you..I too lost my DH of 31 years..died right in front of me with a heart attack...So I feel your pain..may you be safe and blessed this year..hugs and smiles Gloria

onlymehere said...

I'm glad your husband told you that this Thanksgiving so that it could give you the strength and courage to hold your Christmas tradition this year. Looking at your beautiful family let's me know that a little bit of him is with you still in each one of them. I do love the picture of you holding up your hands like your mom, it's like your mom was there too. May God continue to comfort and give you peace during this time. I wish you all things good in this coming year. Cindy

Judy said...

I have thought of you constantly during the holidays. You have been in my prayers as well. The pictures of your children, grandchildren, and great grandchild are wonderful and I enjoyed seeing them so much. Thank you for sharing your Christmas with us. I hope the New Year brings you health and happiness. Love, Judy

Nancy said...

Sweetie:
First, I am so glad you have posted again. What a beautiful family you have and thank God for all of them. I love the pigtails on your Granddaughter. Vince Gill is one of my favorites and what a fitting song for your blog.
Your ending lines are perfect.
Have a Good New Year.
Love Nancy

Linda said...

Dear Sweetie, it's good to see you. I think of you and your family often...they are a wonderful blessing. Your strength, as you are their's. Blessings to you and yours and may you find peace and contentment in our new year....hugs, Linda

Unknown said...

Hi Sweetie....I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss. I know it's hard to keep going on but I think that by you honoring your traditions you honored your sweet husband. Some days it will feel like it's betraying his memory to laugh and smile, but it's NOT....it is what he would have wanted...for you to continue making memories and enjoying the family. God Bless you!

Ruthie said...

So glad to see you're posting again and that you had all your family for Christmas. What a blessing family is in times of loss.
Praying that your New Year will be one of blessings, that you will feel God's comfor, and that many wonderful new things will happen for you.
Love to you and the family.
Ruthie

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

Hey Sweetie,
Your family is so beautiful and sweet too....I am so glad to know that you have the closeness of family, to bring you all some comfort at this difficult time...I am crying with you friend...I am so sorry for you. I know one thing, you are a strong woman, soooo beautiful inside and out. I have thought of you and your family and thought of you. You and your family are in my prayers...
A big hug to you....
Queenie

Carole Burant said...

Dearest Sweetie,

I can't even imagine what a hard Christmas it was for you to get through but with the love of your family, you succeeded in making it a happy one for them. I'm sure Johnny was looking down at all of you with a big smile on his face:-) I so enjoyed seeing all the photos, you have a beautiful family and are so blessed to have been together.

Wishing you and yours all the best that 2009 has to offer!! xoxo

imjacobsmom said...

Hi Sweetie, Just dropping by to wish you and your family a Happy New Year! Looking forward to seeing your cute Grandkids in 2009! ~ Robyn

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Sweetie, My dear sweet friend, I think about you everyday. How are you?? You are in my prayers. I know things are rough. Your dear sweet husband is right. You must carry on with family traditions. You will see your dh and Sherry Jo again. I am sure they are looking down on you and will keep you safe. You have such a beautiful family. They need their mom/grandma!! I am glad you are able to post and keep us informed. I hope to see more of you.
Hugs, Terrie

Cherdecor said...

Sweetie, I loved seeing all your family pictures from your Christmas gathering. I was happy to see that our prayers are working and that you had the STRENGTH to even get it together for Christmas. May the Lord continue to guide you through the coming days and be your strength. Just talk to him and tell him how you feel and when the days get hard, just lean on him. He is listening. He said that he would never leave us now forsake us.

I wish I could give you a hug. You are a special lady. We are still praying for you. May you feel God's peace.

Blessings,
Cheryl

Missy Wertz said...

Sweetie, I have been keeping you in my prayers. I am glad that you are back to blogging and that you had a good Christmas. Hugs.

Deb said...

Hi Sweetie, It's so good to see your lovely family carry on the family's traditions. You all look beautiful sharing these times that you have throughout the years. Take care, and God Bless. Deb

Denise said...

Still praying for you and your precious family....... When I fuss about the things that I have to accomplish here at my house the Lord reminds me of beautiful people as yourself that is caring the weight of the world............ Peace I pray for you in this new year!

ksarra said...

Sweetie, you don't know me, and we will probably never meet. But I want to THANK you for the courage and love that is shown on every post of your blog. You have survived soooo much, and STILL have faith and love. You are an inspiration and a treasure to me, friend!

The Muse said...

I have you in a special place in my heart...and think of you most often...

I hope you can feel the love that envelopes you.

Jeni said...

As difficult as it may have seemed to be, initially, with the loss of both your daughter, then your husband, I am really glad you and your family were still able to come together -as a family united -to celebrate the holiday as well as the lives of those you lost. Hope the New Year is good to you.
Peace.

Sharon said...

Sweetie
Like all the others I am so happy to see you back. You have been in my thoughts and prayers.
Your blog was truly an inspiration to me.
May GOD give you all his blessings in the new year.
God Bless.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

What a beautiful family you have, Sweetie! And what a comfort you must be to each other! I am glad to hear tht you kept your tradition alive. We made that decision after we lost out mom and it made us feel good to know that she was looking down from Heaven and enjoying our day with us. Have a wonderful New Year...Debbie

Colleen formerly of South Africa said...

Looks like a wonderful Christmas with your wonderful family. Best wishes and Happy New Year to you all.

Rhondi said...

Hi Sweetie
What a wonderful family you have! I'm sure it must have been very hard but I'm glad you were all able to get together for Christmas.
I'll be praying for you as you walk through this difficult time.
Hugs, Rhondi

Anne said...

What a beautiful and heart felt post. Sorry again to hear about your dear husband. It seems like he left this world peacfully. You have a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing pictures with us all. What courage it takes to continue on with your holiday traditions after such heartaches. It seems like you have a wonderful and supportive family. May God bless you and your family during this difficult time. I'll continue to pray for you and your family. Take care.

Carolien said...

How good of you to keep your traditions alive, how tough it must be sometimes. You're a brave woman!

Have a good New Year & greetings, Carolien

Tardevil said...

I, too, am glad you can still post. My thoughts and prayers have been with you & your family this entire holiday season. I'm sure it was most difficult, but as you all did, you continue making memories so that you have them, and everyone looked happy. I wish you a much better year in 2009!