This Christmas ...

My condolences to your wife, John. I went through it a couple of years ago with both parents within 5 months. I was blessed to be in the house when my mother left and next to my father's bed when he left. I think it will be so much easier for her to be there than to be distant. It helps with the acceptance. Both of my parents were in their 90's - in fact my dad was 94, so it's a sadness at parting, but a joy that they are not suffering and that we had them with us so long.

My best thoughts and prayers go to her family this Christmas.

Merry Christmas John. A visit to Asheville is still on my bucket list. I would love to visit your studio.

You are most welcome whenever you come, Bradford. Everyone is welcome!

John, beautiful post. Thanks for sharing such a personal part of your life with so many of us who are strangers. Not always an easy thing to do.

It's easy to see the tough things in life...sometimes harder too see all that is good....but much more worthwhile! Thoughts and prayers for your family at this time and best of luck with the new studio.

...an awareness of all that is good in life...." Thanks for the beautiful sentiment John.

Merriest of times this holiday season to all!

Matt

"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit."

Napoleon Hill

John I am sorry for your wife and you. Such a hard way to spend Christmas. I am spending my first Christmas alone too... although for different and happier reasons. Once I was done Boo hooing I found I am more mindful of all my blessings and in some ways appreciate the day more.

Thank you for your wishes John, & I am sorry that you have to be separated from your wife during this difficult time.

Beautiful words ; "awareness of all the good". It is so convenient for us to see what we feel we are lacking , more difficult to just appreciate a simple cup of hot coffee , & a warm hand.

I hope that being reminiscent of your memories has kept you fine company. It is ok to mourn a loss of times that we have treasured - because you will celebrate with joy when you can all be reunited again.

Wishing you a sense of satisfaction with the life that you have built, & all the beauty you have created.

Merry Christmas John.

{{HUGS}} and prayers for your wife and her father...my own father wen't on to his Heavenly Reward, 4 days after Christmas, 10 years ago...so I feel her pain, and yours.
God's blessings to you and yours this Christmas and always!

Thank you all for the kind words. I am blessed and I hope each of you will be so blessed as well.

Christmas has pretty much sucked for me since my sister died.

This was a transitional year for me too. I lost my mom last Christmas and my big brother last fall. My kids are grown and have moved out, so this year I collected my son and went to have Christmas at my daughter in El Segundo, CA.

You're always a little sad at change (and miss people you lost) but had a great Christmas. California Christmas isn't much about winters beauty, but hard to beat for cultural arts. We went to the play "Wicked" which highly recommend and overdosed on galleries, concerts, food, and theater.

Snow or sand, it's all good.

Very blessed,
-- mary ellen anderson