Loss and holidays. (girls, love, young, family)

[Pikantari]

Hello all. You know, it did not really hit me on Thanksgiving, but just this morning, as I was standing there doing the dishes and listening to music I happened to look up. I looked across at my honey sitting there at the kitchen table, at the twins. I can barely hear what they are saying because of the music in my ears. Sitting there doing home school. I smile at him, but he does not notice as he is teaching.

It is then that my eyes leave his face and move upwards to an old picture of my father sitting on top of a corner cabinet. He looks across at me as a young man in his army uniform. His dress uniform. The last time I saw my dad he was 73. I suppose he was in his 20's in that picture. A young man in WW2. I would not have been thought of for many years after that. He was 52 when I was born.

So I look over at the picture and there he is, fresh in my mind like he never left. The tears now coming down my face, falling onto my shirt. I am at a standstill, just looking at that picture and thinking. I hear a voice now, talking to me.

What are you listening to? Why are you crying? What is the matter? Coming from two voices, not one. One of the twins and him.

It's OK, I say, just looking at a picture.

So strange. I went through all of Thanksgiving day without my parents, but with so many other family members. I suppose because of the rush of the day, from all the happenings, I did not really think about it, not till I had a lone moment to just peek up at that picture did it hit me.

Well, that was the thirteenth Thanksgiving without my Dad, next comes my birthday and then Christmas. It will be the eighth Christmas without my mother, as she passed on Christmas Eve of 2000.

So many changes, some good, some bad. Some which one wold think are good, some bad, not all opinions the same.

Life is a strange thing sometimes. And then we move on.

[yankeegirl313]

Sweet.
Memories can be a wonderful thing!

[mrstewart]

Thank you for sharing...the holidays certainly are bittersweet, aren't they?

[Pikantari]

Yes, they are. I made new memories this year, and the old ones came flooding back... do I smile, do I cry, or just take them as they come? Both... all.

[ChessieMom]

What a heartwarming moment. Thanks so much for sharing it.

[moonsavvy]

A moment captured in time in a beautiful expression.

[CountryLuvinWoman1]

Thanksgiving day we got back from my dads..my girls had spent some of the day with their grandma and she dropped them off at my dad's house for the dinner there..they are 17 and 16..I was outside my 16 year old's bedroom door and she was playing music. A song came on and somehow I knew i'd find her in there crying. Her dad passed away 2 years ago this feb. Well I walked in her room and sure enough there she sat with tears streaming down her face. Seeing her pain made me cry and at that moment I would of done anything to take that pain away from her. It's hard watching someone we love hurt so much.
I am sorry for your loss and I'm thankful for you that you have a family to help ease your pain.

[Movie Lover]

The anniversary of a death is a dark time for me. Especially as I no one to be there. Having a disability means others can't help me.

[Chowhound]

Very nice post.

Your're getting the Chowster all teary eyed.

[Pikantari]

aww... I am sure I could come up with some more for you... here recently, its been happening a lot. I called my sister today and the same thing is happening to her.