Touch and Go

Things have been rough the past few months. Shortly after Christmas, Richie's mom passed away in the night. A peaceful, sudden death, just like she wanted. She was too spunky to fade out with a long, terminal illness and she certainly didn't like feeling like a burden on anyone. She was a single mother of three for a good deal of her life, working two jobs to keep them fed and clothed. She never really knew what it was like to be taken care of. I told her if she ever got to that place that her children owed her at least 18 years...the years she gave them. She always laughed at that. She knew they would help her, but she didn't want them to.

We're trying to fill the absence her death has left in our lives. Sunday mornings are still the hardest. That is, until Christmas comes around again. It was her favorite holiday. Her face would light up when she saw her red and white tree decorated by her kids. She loved baking and Christmas carols. Marshmallow World, by Brenda Lee is one of my favorite Christmas tunes because of her. I have some wonderful memories of her singing it by herself in the kitchen, dancing while cooking and then later, singing it to our baby girl. Maddy knows some of the words and sings a long what she knows.

We will have to start new Christmas traditions of our own, for our own little family, but I have a feeling that it will mirror the one that we cherished with her.

The life cycle came around full circle when, on January 25th, we welcomed our new niece, Helena Leeann into the world. She had a rough entry into our atmosphere, but her lungs are now fully acclimated. Now that she's healthy, we can all take a deep breath and exhale!





Our family really needed baby Helena. She's a reminder of what's most important in life. Life!

My love to you all,
but especially YOU!