Ace's Mom: Thanksgiving

Ace's Mom: Thanksgiving: Do the holidays "get easier"? The void is still there and no matter what you do, you cannot really fill it up no matter how hard ...

Thanksgiving

Do the holidays "get easier"? The void is still there and no matter what you do, you cannot really fill it up no matter how hard you try. I think we just learn to cope better and let's face it, with eight years of holidays without Ace, there are not a lot of surprises that can trigger unsuspecting emotion. I take this time to embrace all that Andy loved about the holidays and hope that I can keep Christmas in a way that he would be proud.

Ace was the typical kid who really looked forward to Thanksgiving and all that it entailed, turkey, pumpkin pie but more importantly, having family surround him. It also was the beginning of the Christmas Season which meant planning what he was going to give to the various people in his life as gifts. Anyone who knew Ace knew that he took far more pleasure in giving a gift than receiving one. He would watch you open the present, anticipating the look of surprise as he spent a lot of time finding just the right thing for each person, something that would delight them and make them laugh!

Today, Thanksgiving, I am reflecting on what I am grateful for and the list is long. I am so thankful for a healthy, new grandson; Nate & Pete, two of the funniest and most generous men I know; wonderful, caring daughters-in-law; my loving 89 year old mom who makes me laugh every day with her unfiltered comments on life in general ; the rest of my family who is there in a heartbeat if I need them; Denis, my love; my friends, new and old; my Marine and Police sons and daughters who I never would have met without Andy; and the list could go on. I am truly thankful that I had Andy in my life for 23 years as he taught me  about generosity of spirit, laughter and love. As much as I miss him, I really believe that is what he was meant to do, teach us all how to give without reservation and be happy.

Happy Thanksgiving, all. Have a blessed and wonderful day.

Semper Fi,

Ace's Mom

"There is nothing the be unhappy about." ~ Andy "Ace" Nowacki