Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas,

I hope this finds you happy and healthy this holiday seasons. Well there have been many changes for Hunter and I over the last year. We have had new experiences and celebrated life, as we know it to be. As this season has approached us and I have had a chance to reflect on the past 2 seasons with out Eric, I realize how thankful I am that we had so many wonderful years together, that we lived our lives exactly the way we wanted too and that we loved each other more each day. I have also had time to reflect on the loss, the loss of the traditions we created together, the loss of the friendship we had and so much more. Which of course leads me to start thinking of my life now and I realize that I am so lucky. Lucky to have someone who loves me, who stands by my side as I grieve and is willing to walk this unknown journey with Hunter and I. I am also lucky to have friends who have supported me and been there for me regardless of their own life challenges and of course Hunter who brightness my every moment. I mean there are still moments, many moments that have caught me off guard and the tears come streaming down. If happens in the oddest times and for the oddest reason. The season for me is filled with such joy and sorrow at the same time, I suppose it is like being on a roller coaster. Either way I don’t like roller coasters so I am looking forward to the beginning of the year hoping the roller coaster will slow down, well at least until the next Christmas season.

The lights have been hung this year and the house even has a few more decorations than last, we have made Santa cookies and are having a few family members over to help us celebrate Christmas. Of course Hunter is super excited for Santa and I am hoping to get him in bed as early as possible so that I can finish my mommy duties.

We celebrated Christmas with Eric’s family a few weeks ago and we had a wonderful time together. Again it is one of those joyous and sorrowful times, I am so lucky to have such wonderful in-laws it is a true blessing. This Christmas I finally was able to get Eric’s t-shirt made into a quit. Well actually 4 quilts, one for Hunter, Eric’s mom and his 2 sisters. They are beautiful and something that each one of them can take comfort in when they need that encouragement that all will be ok. Each quilt is different and each quilt was made without knowing who was going to receive which quilt. Once they were finished I looked at each one and decided who should get that particular quilt. So after all settled down and everyone had a few days to look at their quilts Eric’s mom called and shared with me that Laura’s quilt had the shirt on it that he was wearing the last time she saw him which was December 12^th 2009, exactly 2 yrs to the day she opened up her quilt. Dianna also shared that her quilt had 3 shirts that Eric is wearing in the 3 pictures of him she has hanging on her wall. Again I had no idea about these particular shirts and we all knew that God had a hand in this selection. It was so perfect and I could not have asked for a better outcome.

May the season be filled with love and joy and may you each cherish every moment you have with those you love.

Merry Christmas,

Hallie