Jan 5 09
I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year’s celebration. Personally, I’ve never really grasped the fascination with the whole New Year’s Eve madness but, to each his own.
In one of my last Updates, I mentioned that I would share with you Ali’s & Andrew’s Christmas gifts to Chris & I. Christmas is, understandably, very difficult, but Ali really warmed our hearts.
Historically, Santa would hide one of Ali’s & Andrew’s Christmas gifts and then leave Scavenger Hunt clues around the house. It was really fun to see them racing around the house for that ‘extra’ gift from Santa. That Santa sure is a clever guy! Well, this year, Ali turned the tables on us and we were the ones receiving the clues. I felt like a little kid! :)
The best was yet to come though. The true gift was not what Ali & Andrew had purchased but the beautiful note that Ali wrote to us. Ali is kind of a quiet young lady but she expresses herself so well in her writing (as you’ve seen on CaringBridge). Her note was so heartwarming and full of love and appreciation. I didn’t need anything more. She made my day. In addition to the note, though, ‘they’ are sending us away for a 2 night getaway to just relax. I say ‘they’ because after Andrew went to Heaven, we gave Ali a jar of money that Andrew kept in his room. Ali never felt comfortable spending ‘his’ money. So, one day last fall, I think Andrew ‘came’ to Ali and they decided what they would do with his money (and hers). And, they decided to buy us a vacation. Honestly, after Ali’s note, I didn’t need anything else. (See Ali, you’ll learn - next time you can just save your money! :)
What a kind and thoughtful gesture! We are very blessed.
And, a few days before Christmas, Ali gave me another gift that I treasure. You may recall from some of the pictures that were previously posted on CB that Andrew wore a fairly large cross necklace. After Andrew went to Heaven, Ali found it and was wearing it herself. Shortly before Christmas, she decided she wanted me to have it. I wear it every day. I find myself touching it so many times a day because I know my son’s fingers touched this cross so many times as well. I feel a little bit closer to him.
Ali & Andrew, thank you!!!
God bless you.
B+
SOOOOOOOO proud to be,
Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad