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                                                        Christmas 2004 ... 
                                                Still Missing 
                                                Loria 
                                                
                                                 
                                                
                                                
                                                Not much has changed for us. I 
                                                continue to miss Loria's 
                                                physical presence so much. I 
                                                still insanely hope that I can 
                                                wake up 
                                                one day and she will be here. I 
                                                still try to fool myself into 
                                                believing I am having a horrible 
                                                nightmare and that I'll wake 
                                                up and Loria will be here to 
                                                tell me it was just a bad dream. 
                                                
                                                  
 
 I 
made the decision to 
put a tree up for Loria 
this year.  She always 
loved the Christmas 
tree and would 
*pester* me until 
it was up and 
decorated.  So we put 
it in the room where 
Loria's ashes are kept 
and I talked to her 
while I decorated 
it for her. This is a 
photo of a very special ornament I added in Loria's memory. 
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                
                                                The year 2004 has been no less 
                                                difficult than those in the 
                                                past since losing Loria. But I 
                                                have tried very hard to 
                                                "feel better" as so many people 
                                                have *told* me to do.  I'm 
                                                losing some of my resistance to 
                                                the outside world but I 
                                                continue to be a hermit.  I 
                                                would still prefer to stay at 
                                                home 
                                                in my safe cocoon rather than go 
                                                out in the prying eyes of 
                                                the public. But I at least feel 
                                                less inhibited when 
                                                it comes to venturing out in the 
                                                world. 
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                 Although 
                                                I've put up the tree, 
                                                we cannot or will not 
                                                "celebrate" the holiday. I 
                                                can't imagine buying and 
                                                wrapping gifts to put 
                                                under a tree now ~ nor to 
                                                have family or friends 
                                                come in to visit. I can't cook 
                                                a holiday meal and pretend 
                                                that everything is the same 
                                                as it was when Loria was 
                                                here with us.  Both of my 
                                                girls won't be "coming 
                                                home for Christmas." 
                                                Maybe down the road ~ 
                                                if I'm lucky enough to have 
                                                grandchildren one day ~ but 
                                                certainly not now.  
                                                Fortunately, my family 
                                                understands 
                                                what I can and cannot find the 
                                                energy to do. 
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                
                                                Unless you have lost a child, 
                                                you may never be able to 
                                                understand 
                                                my emotions.  But if you 
                                                are the unfortunate one that 
                                                walks beside 
                                                me on the road of grief, you can 
                                                comprehend what I am 
                                                experiencing. 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                
                                                  
  
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                
                                                 
                                                To Loria ... I miss you 
                                                more than 
                                                ever ... and you 
                                                will remain in 
                                                my heart always. 
                                                I love you ~ 
                                                therefore, 
                                                I grieve. 
  
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                 
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                
                                                To the new year ahead ... Loria 
                                                I will never give up the fight. 
                                                I have lost you but I will never 
                                                let your memory be forgotten. 
                                                
                                                 
                                                  
                                                
                                                
                                                A happy heart makes the face 
                                                cheerful, 
                                                but heartache crushes the 
                                                spirit. 
                                                (Proverbs 15:13) 
                                                 
                                                My spirit remains crushed. 
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                DEAR CHILD IN 
                                                HEAVEN 
                                                 
                                                You were a blessing to us all 
                                                you were a special child. 
                                                And we're so glad God sent you 
                                                to be with us awhile. 
                                                 
                                                You filled our home with 
                                                happiness 
                                                and made our life complete. 
                                                The time we had with you 
                                                was far too short, but oh so 
                                                sweet. 
                                                 
                                                Some things we don't find easy 
                                                to accept or understand. 
                                                Until we realize they're part of 
                                                our Creator's perfect plan. 
                                                 
                                                Now it comforts us to know 
                                                you're with the angels up above. 
                                                While in our hearts we hold you 
                                                close 
                                                Surrounded by our love. 
                                                ~ Author 
                                                Unknown ~ 
                                                  
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                
                                                 
                                                
                                                 
                                                
                                                  
                                                  
                                              
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                
                                                Saralyn, thank you for Loria's 
                                                bell.  Without 
                                                saying it, you know how much 
                                                your friendship means 
                                                to me year 'round.  I truly 
                                                treasure you. 
                                                 
                                                Please take the time to visit 
                                                the memorial 
                                                website that Saralyn has created 
                                                for her son,
                                                
                                                Robbie Smith. 
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                  
                                                
Beth, thank you for Loria's 
Santa globe.  To know 
that you have remembered her with your kindness 
and compassion truly makes you a special friend. 
 
Please take the time to visit the memorial website 
that Beth maintains for her son,
Hayes 
Kent. 
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                 
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                 
                                                  
                                                
                                                
                                                   
                                                
                                                
  
                                                
  
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                  
                                                
                                                  
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