The approach of my first Christmas without my baby boy, Andy, has been scary and felt ominous. I knew I had to do some different things this year, and to remember my gratitude. Every tradition has been hurtful so far. But tonight I did something I had never done before that was wonderful! As you know, I have been really busy with the downtown revitalization. Tonight Dennis had to pull our float with his truck, and at the last minute I decided to go ride with him in the cab as he drove. I grabbed Dewey Dog on the way out and got his Santa hat, even though I thought he would eat it within 10 minutes. These impromptu decisions gave me a wonderful, healing experience tonight that filled me with real Christmas joy. First of all, Dewey wore that silly hat with no complaints! I rolled down my window and Dewey stuck his head out of the window as we drove through thousands of really happy, grateful people. The children were up front, poised to catch candy thrown by people in the floats. I watched the happy faces, one by one, hundred by hundred, burst into a wide smile and point at that puppy in a Santa hat looking out the window! Parents would try to point him out to toddlers who would laugh and little girls that would say awwwwww! The kids and the parents would yell Merry Christmas!, a phrase I must have heard a hundred times tonight. I wish I could adequately describe the vision of hundreds of children and parents who smiled in joy as we went by! I became aware of the beauty of life again, when I had not seen it in awhile. Who knew that a little dog in a Santa hat would allow me the precious gift of seeing hundreds of children smile, grin, laugh and wave at us? Who knew that those children could help my heart heal from the loss of my own child? This was exactly what I needed, and I will cherish that forever. I feel grateful tonight. Merry Christmas!
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 04:50:12 +0000
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