Dedicated to love and in the spirit of Christmas

Today and always:
I want to feel grateful and appreciative to family, friends, my husband, and children included.

I miss my husband beyond words. I feel the lack of his presence weighing on me. The things that keep me going every day: the love from my children, my family, my friends, neighbors, people who show compassion and love to us and themselves.

I try to write Cliff a note every day and mail it to him. The boys love making art work for him. He hasn't been able to receive mail or packages much the past month, and that has been so difficult on his moral. On Christmas day he will hopefully be heading back to a less remote area of Iraq, and be able to see his packages and mail from the past month. He is a real trooper! I admire his ability to keep his sense of humor through all of this and to find the energy to call the kids and I-- even if it is just for a few minutes. He has been doing construction work.

May each and every person on this earth love their children, husbands, and others unconditionally and whole-heartedly. Love like the world is going to end tomorrow. It probably won't end tomorrow, but pretend.

May the sun and moon shine down on you and make you smile. May you feel love and true appreciation for all, as I hope for myself as well. May the gifts in your life be simple and true: the breeze, changing of the seasons, a warm shower (something to be grateful for!), a warm and dry place to sleep, working body parts, a smile given or received, a child's love, the love of an animal, a blooming flower, the smell of food, and all the other millions of miracles we each take for granted. We each have the power to spread joy and give love freely. It doesn't always have to involve gift giving.

Happy holidays to all and happy new year, too!