new traditions

Here are some pictures of our version of fake thanksgiving at our home in Cincinnati. I really appreciated our family making long drives to be with us.

These events will never be the same (for me) but I just have to hope these will one day get better-never easier just better and enjoyable. One day- I can just enjoy being with the people I do have. For now, it will remain difficult-all of these Holiday events. And that's okay and quite frankly, I think normal. I actually think one would be lying and in denial if they were able to bounce back after such a thing and enjoy Holidays just as they used to without their family. I miss my Mom and Dad, I miss having my immediate family together. Family is what makes the Holidays so special and I just feel terribly alone without them. Without my own family I have had all of my life. It's all I know. 

Wednesday we will start our journey to the East Coast where we will stay with our friends of many years, Mel and Nick. Looking forward to a day in NYC to shop the day after Thanksgiving-I love New York and I have never been there around the Holidays. (Must grab coffee from Dean and Delucas)... and then we'll get the chance to visit with our other friends Nicky and Mark who just welcomed baby #2. I am so excited to do something new for this Holiday. Or else I'd just sit around and mope that my Father is no longer here to carve the turkey. The last Thanksgiving they were alive for, we all spent it at the Close's house. 

Wishing everyone out there a Happy Thanksgiving. I feel for people who are alone, who are elderly, who are sick, who are homeless and have nothing to eat at all.....and I feel sad for my own hurting family and for my brother. I am thankful he is safe.