Sunday would have been Mike's 53rd birthday. I got through it mostly by not thinking about him or mentioning it to anyone. Thanksgiving was fine, we had it Wednesday because my son-in-law has to start his long flight back to Iraq on Thanksgiving Day. We put up all the Christmas decorations while he was here because I can't do it myself. (Not good with heights) Anyway, I bought all new tree stuff so we are starting some new traditions. We had the same tree style and decor for the last 27 years so I wanted something new. For our first fake tree, it is actually beautiful. My kids don't like fake, but it is easier for me. So we are set for Christmas now too. I hope I can sit back and enjoy the season.

I don't know how I would get through life if I couldn't write out my thoughts. Funny, I was never good at keeping a journal. This blog really has been a life savor to me in getting through the last year and a half. I have to think a lot before I process things fully. Which means the situation I am dealing with is often over before I think of a good way to handle it. Lots of people ask me for advice too. I wish I could give them better answers then I do.

I had to deal with someone recently that broke my daughter's heart. Not in a relationship way, just an adult that said some uncalled for things about one of my daughter's talents. He was wrong and it was really uncalled for. I was there when it happened and didn't even know how to respond or what to say. It took me by surprise and it also took me all night to process what had happened. I finally figured out how to respond appropriately and not rudely.  To bad I didn't responded to him at the time. The hardest part was trying to convince my daughter that he was wrong, while she cried in my arms for an hour. I really hope I have never said anything so foolish that it deeply hurt someone.

We need to spend more time reinforcing the good in people rather then focusing on negative things. Life is hard enough so don't make it even harder on yourself or others.

Looking into my grandson's big, loving, trusting eyes just makes me melt. If I had one wish this Christmas season it would be that everyone who reads this does something wonderful for another person that they normally wouldn't help. Just imagine how many people we could touch. Start with a smile and a kind word!