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Over the weekend, I finished writing the letter to include with this year's Christmas cards. Since most of my readers here probably aren't on our mailing list, I'm posting the letter here as well, since it really is addressed to you as well.
Once again the holiday season has arrived. A year ago, we wrote about treasuring every moment we have with our loved ones because we never know what the future holds. This is a lesson that we’ve been forced to confront again this autumn, with the losses of Andy’s grandmother in September, and more recently, the sudden loss of Sandy’s new step-father, Carl, in a car crash. In addition, one of Andy’s brothers was seriously ill and very nearly died, and Sandy’s mother suffered a number of injuries in the crash. Clearly, we can’t afford to take for granted that we will have a tomorrow with anyone.
But it is the memories of the times we’ve shared with our family and friends that continues to sustain us, even during the most difficult of times. We take great comfort in the joy we felt as Sandy’s mother got married in May, and knowing that she found great happiness with her new husband, even if they only had a few short months. We celebrate the long, full life of Andy’s grandmother, knowing that she had seen and done much during her life, and find comfort in knowing that she was fully ready for the end when it came.
So during this holiday season, we find ourselves reflecting on the memories of all the time we’ve spent with those we love, both those that are no longer with us and those we hope to spend time with again. These memories bring warmth to our hearts and smiles to our faces, and it is a great comfort to us that so many of these memories involve laughter and joy.
We hope that each of you likewise finds a similar comfort in the memories of time spent with those closest to you. Hopefully, you will find some time to reflect on the joy and happiness that you find in those you love. Treasure every one of these memories, even while making new ones. This is how we live in each other, even when we are separated, either by distance or by death.
May this holiday season find each of you safe and well, and may you each find bountiful blessings of peace, happiness and love in your lives, both during the holiday season and in the coming new year. We hope that we can build new memories with many of you in the days and weeks ahead, but even if we don’t have an opportunity to spend time with you, know that you are still near us in our memories and our heart.
May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Once again the holiday season has arrived. A year ago, we wrote about treasuring every moment we have with our loved ones because we never know what the future holds. This is a lesson that we’ve been forced to confront again this autumn, with the losses of Andy’s grandmother in September, and more recently, the sudden loss of Sandy’s new step-father, Carl, in a car crash. In addition, one of Andy’s brothers was seriously ill and very nearly died, and Sandy’s mother suffered a number of injuries in the crash. Clearly, we can’t afford to take for granted that we will have a tomorrow with anyone.
But it is the memories of the times we’ve shared with our family and friends that continues to sustain us, even during the most difficult of times. We take great comfort in the joy we felt as Sandy’s mother got married in May, and knowing that she found great happiness with her new husband, even if they only had a few short months. We celebrate the long, full life of Andy’s grandmother, knowing that she had seen and done much during her life, and find comfort in knowing that she was fully ready for the end when it came.
So during this holiday season, we find ourselves reflecting on the memories of all the time we’ve spent with those we love, both those that are no longer with us and those we hope to spend time with again. These memories bring warmth to our hearts and smiles to our faces, and it is a great comfort to us that so many of these memories involve laughter and joy.
We hope that each of you likewise finds a similar comfort in the memories of time spent with those closest to you. Hopefully, you will find some time to reflect on the joy and happiness that you find in those you love. Treasure every one of these memories, even while making new ones. This is how we live in each other, even when we are separated, either by distance or by death.
May this holiday season find each of you safe and well, and may you each find bountiful blessings of peace, happiness and love in your lives, both during the holiday season and in the coming new year. We hope that we can build new memories with many of you in the days and weeks ahead, but even if we don’t have an opportunity to spend time with you, know that you are still near us in our memories and our heart.
May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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Date: 2011-12-12 06:26 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-12-12 08:59 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-12-13 12:25 am (UTC)