 |
Before I start rambling....I wanted to post the two readers who won the gift certificates from Novica.. Congratulations to Leslie Ham and Carolyn Bradford.... have fun shopping! I have been trying to get a post ready for you, but my heart is so heavy that my creativity is just not there... Its going to be a bitter sweet Christmas. Celebrating with family and friends is my favorite thing about this time of year. Its what this season is all about.....but this year its going to be well..... It might be the last time I have Christmas with my Dad. My father was diagnosed with Cancer.... He has a tumor behind his eye which has left him blind in one eye..... He also has Alzheimer which complicates things. He still knows who we are but he is slowly losing his world around him..... and we are losing him..... |
 |
| source..Wistfully Country |
 |
I didn't have the energy to decorate and put up the Christmas tree...... I bought some poinsettias and did a couple of vignettes and called it a day! |
 |
I had to remind myself that its not about the decorations, but its about a birth and giving..... a time to celebrate the relationships that have been so freely given. And for the time my family has with my Dad. |
 |
| Source....Haus Design blog |
 |
One sweet blessing this year.....is our sweet grandchild...... As one life begins and another ends....my father will leave his legacy down through the generations within her... Like I said...bitter sweet.... I have decided to take sometime off so I can spend time with family and help my parents. I will be back sometime in January and back to posting decor, life, and just random things.... I hope you have a Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all. Thank you for visiting our blog and its been such a blessing to get to know so many of you in blogland. |
oh honey - my thoughts and prayers r with u - cancer has hit us hard too - *hugs*
ReplyDeleteBitterweet indeed. My warmest regards.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It has been a tough ending to the year for so many. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of you and your family. Being together is all that matters. My MIL has the early stages of Alzheimer's. I visit your blog when you return.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difficult mix of emotions. I am blessed to still have both parents and they are both healthy. It scares me to think of when I will no longer have them. Enjoy them every moment you can, and I hope you find some peace and comfort in each other.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your father, it seems particularly hard to accept a loved one being ill during the holidays, a time that are supposed to be the happiest time of the year. In real life, we all know that is not always the case.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing the right thing to take time off and be with your family. They need you the most. We will all be here waiting when you return, and you will know when that time is right. Wishing you and your family a happy holiday and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Merry Christmas!
So sorry about your father. Take all the time you need and we will be here when you return. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteDear Juli and Danni,
ReplyDeleteI so understand as I have lost both my parents and miss them sorely, especially at holidays. Take the time you need without hesitation and savor every minute. Nothing is more important right now. God bless you and your family, and I hope the holidays are warm and loving.
xoxoNancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
I am sooo sorry to hear about your Dad...I completely understand. My Dad has cancer too. Started in the prostate and now is in the bone. The chemo is killing him...and watching it all is killing us. Take this precious time to be with your family for sure. A huge hug from me to you. XO, Mona
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear about your father. My thoughts are with you. Jennifer
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your father. This was a beautiful post and is a tribute to him. Best wishes,
ReplyDeleteMary Ann
Julie and Danni, I too have been there and it is a heavy load at times. Warmest Holiday wishes to you and your family and wishing you all good things in the new year.
ReplyDeletexo kelley
thinking of you. saddened to hear this news but hopeful you will savor the best of what this season brings: peace, life in its imperfection, and love. with hearts wide open, the comfort will come even in the worst of times.
ReplyDeletebest to you.
michele
I am so sorry to here of your father's illness. Take every moment you can make as many memories as you can and live in the moment, not the past not the future just today. Have the best holiday possible. hugs and warm wishes to you and your whole family.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your father, but am glad you are able to spend time with him over Christmas! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand how you're feeling, and my heart goes out to you. My own father passed away rather suddenly just before Christmas in 2010. The magic of the season was lost, and I spent Christmas is a fog of deep grief and sadness.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great blessing that you have this Christmas to spend with your dad.
I pray that, despite your heartache, it will be filled with joy and that you'll create many warm memories to cherish in the years ahead.
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Merry Christmas, my friend,
Wendi xo
Loved hearing from you…had no idea about the giveaway, etc….I'm so glad you and I have already talked about your precious dad…I truly appreciate you telling me and I want you to know that I am praying for you constantly! Your Christmas will be bittersweet but I know that you will treasure your memories with him and make the moments that you have now count more than ever…and with your granddaughter…yes, that brings a whole new perspective to things, doesn't it? It doesn't lessen the pain…but it makes you remember to keep his legacy living through her! Always let her remember him even through the littlest of things! A lot to times it's those simple, small memories that keep our loved ones alive in our hearts more than anything!
ReplyDeleteI loved your honesty- and truly Christmas is about the love that the Father gave to us so we might have
ReplyDeletethose relationships that we cherish so dearly... Keep making memories, keep loving and honoring your Dad
and enjoy this holiday WITH HIM.
I too am struggling with this same issue with MY DARLING- he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last
Feb. and we are hoping and praying DAILY for more time with each other and our family ! It will be a very
special Christmas for us all. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Have a Merry Christmas and make memories that will truly never fade.
Diana@107Vintage.com
I feel your pain, and will be praying for you and your family. I have lost both parents, one to Alzheimers, and it is horrible.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that legacies are left with us, and the precious little bundle of joy will assure a wonderful day.
Take your time and cope. We will certainly be here waiting for your beautiful posts.
Happy Thursday.
Teresa
xoxo
I really feel for you, as my holiday is almost the same. Mt mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's this year, and barely knows who my dad is. It will definitely be our last Christmas with her knowing us. I'm so sorry to hear about the cancer, too. That is just too much. I'm thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteStacy
ohhhh julie, my heart knows your pain and breaks for you. wrap yourself around that sweet grandchild and your adored father. my thoughts are with you
ReplyDeletesending love
debra
i am sorry to hear about your dad.
ReplyDeleteit is very painful to watch someone you love slip away.
both my grandmothers had Alzheimers.
take it easy...take time to make time for your dad.
much love and Christmas wishes
xx
i am sorry to hear about your dad.
ReplyDeleteit is very painful to watch someone you love slip away.
both my grandmothers had Alzheimers.
take it easy...take time to make time for your dad.
much love and Christmas wishes
xx
I am very sorry to hear about your father. Enjoy your time with him and your family. Wishing you all the very best ~
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
LOi
Julie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Enjoy these precious months with him, it sounds like he is a wonderful man and will forever be a positive force in your lives.
Have a wonderful holiday with your granddaughter, I look forward to continued inspiration from your posts in January.
Karen
So sad! I am sorry to hear this. Savor each moment and let that be your "decoration".
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your dad. Your little grandchild is beautiful. I will say a prayer for a wonderfully warm & memorable time spent together.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas,
Keri
So sorry to hear this. Watching a loved one slip away is always painful. I don't blame you for not decorating much...your focus is right where it should be. Cherish the time you have left together and remember the good times :). Beautiful grandbaby by the way! The Merriest Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDelete-Carla
I'm sorry it's bittersweet. It's hard to watch a loved one slip away from us. It sounds as if you have your priorities straight and that you will cherish every moment you have with your Dad. You and your family are in my prayers. Have a beautiful holiday. xoxo
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your Dad. Wishing you peaceful days ahead.
ReplyDeleteJulie
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your dad. My father just turned 90. We lost my husbands mother a few years back to alzheimers and cancer. Sadly the alzheimers was a blessing in the end. She didn't know what hit her. My best to you and your family at this tough time.
Sorry to hear of your dad's illnesses. Alzheimer's sucks. Cancer sucks. Wishing you some peace and comfort this holiday season.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts are with you and your family during this very difficult time. Cherish every moment you have with him this Christmas. xo
ReplyDeleteVery tragic about your father. Sounds like you will truly appreciate this holiday with him. I hope your heavy heart can be lifted by looking into your grand baby's eyes. Be sure to remember to take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteChristmas can be challenging when you are feeling overwhelmed. You are such an inspiration in the face of so many challenges!
ReplyDeleteblessings,
karianne
I'm sorry to hear about your dad and that you're going through this hard time especially this holiday season. I'm sending you my sincere prayers and positive thoughts to give you strength and comfort.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoyed Christmas with your dad and the rest of your family. It's so hard when it is bitter sweet like that...
ReplyDeleteStac
I am sure you have had a very special Christmas with all your loved ones, including your dad. I always say, the decorations are for the children but I try to teach them that the season is about giving and sharing and loving and being thankful for everything and everyone we have around us because that is what it is about for me. Thoughts and prayers with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteOh, my heart goes out to you, your family and your father. I hope your Christmas was more bitter than sweet. Our Christmas was similar, my dad is doing much, much better but is in a rehabilitation center and is not strong enough to come home yet. It's hard not to wonder what the future will bring. But every day we get with them is a miracle, right? Thank you so much for all the thoughts and prayers you sent to my family this holiday and I am sending the same right back to you, along with wishes for a 2013 that is full of hope and love. XO, Jeanne
ReplyDeleteMy heart is heavy, Julie. I so hope you were able to spend time with your family and enjoy being together. Wishing you all the best in 2013!!
ReplyDeleteJulie, I cried reading this. I am so far behind on my blog reading. I am just now catching up. I just said a prayer for you and your Dad. Enjoy every minute you can get with him. Get a video camera or a tape recorder and record him. I wish so much I had more current videos of my son. Just know that we all love you and are thinking about you and your family! Lisa
ReplyDeleteJulie, I so feel your pain. My pops was diagnosed a couple of years ago and it has been very difficult. "Lasts" always seem to be happening--not just Christmas (although Christmas makes it particularly painful).
ReplyDeleteWe spent the better part of Christmas evening in the hospital after my Pops had fallen. I wish you peace during this time.
My heart goes out to you…know there are people who have you in prayer.
XO,
Amy
I'm sorry I missed this when you first posted it, I checked in today because it had been quiet over here. I'm so sorry to hear your sad news about your dad, my heart aches for all that you're going through. You're all in my prayers, hoping you and your family were able to enjoy a special time with him over Christmas.
ReplyDeleteJulie.....I am feeling your pain. I lost my Mom to cancer and it was extremely hard to see her suffer. Prating for your strength during this difficult time.....peace.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Sherry
Julie ... I am just reading this ... after your most recent post which sent me here. My Mom died this past August from cancer and it was awful. I have just moved my Dad here and we are working together to create a "new" life for him. I am so sorry that your Father is going through this. You are doing the most wonderful thing being there for him. I literally took months off from blogging regularly as I took care of my family. We all understand ... and the best part ... my blog friends came through for me and gave me more support than I could ever imagine! You being one of them ... by continuing to check in with me and leave comments. Thank you!! Be blessed and enjoy this time with your Dad. xo
ReplyDeleteJulie, I'm so sorry to hear about your father. I know how you feel when a holiday comes along in the middle of that kind of pain, it's hard to feel like celebrating. I'm thinking of you and wishing you much strength.
ReplyDeleteEveryone loves it whenever people come together and share views.
ReplyDeleteGreat website, stick with it!
Here is my page : tail search terms
I leave a comment when I appreciate a post on a site or if I have something to contribute to the discussion.
ReplyDeleteIt is triggered by the fire displayed in the article I read.
And after this post "A Bitter Sweet Christmas........".
I was moved enough to leave a thought ;) I do
have 2 questions for you if it's okay. Is it just me or do some of the comments come across like left by brain dead visitors? :-P And, if you are posting on additional social sites, I would like to follow everything fresh you have to post. Would you make a list all of your social pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?
Also visit my weblog ; help quit smoking
This piece of writing is truly a fastidious one it helps
ReplyDeletenew internet people, who are wishing in favor of blogging.
Also visit my web page :: lightacademy.Ro
I am so sorry to hear about your father--it is heart-wrenching to watch a beloved parent deteriorate. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with him and the rest of your family. Thank you for the beautiful images--we look forward to your return! Xo! -Emilie
ReplyDelete