Don't forget A reason for the season

I know family time can feel like this sometimes  :)

Christmas such a magical beautiful time. All about Jesus, presents, cookies, Santa, the lights, trees, and FAMILY. It is a time of year that makes my heart feel so full and excited for the possibilities of making new family memories. Growing up I always looked forward to the time spent with my families and giving the most perfect gift to everyone I love. But this time of year is a time when feeling the loss of my loved ones is refreshed. I haven't experienced too much loss in my life, although the ones I have lost have been some of the hardest to lose. The most obvious is my Charlie. The pain I feel around this time of year is more for his family knowing they would give anything to have him there even for just a moment. When so many take their loved ones for granted, not knowing what true loss feels like. Another one would be my Papa. I actually lost him on December 23rd almost 7 years ago. He and I were very close and I was just getting to the age where I was learning how cherish my time with him. I know everyone loses their grandparents at some point but he was just a few months shy of his 70th birthday and it was too sudden. After losing both of these guys I have trained myself to enjoy the moments with my loved ones focusing on memories. I also never forget to let my loved ones know how much I care about them. Ask any of my friends I am constantly telling them how much I love them, they may get tired of hearing it but at least I know they will never wonder what my true feelings are. So I guess I am just reminding everyone to take a moment from the hustle and bustle of the commercialization of Christmas and remind those who you love just how much they really meant to you. Because there will be a time when you will give just about anything for one more hug or one more chance to tell them you love them. I can't tell you how many times I have begged God for just a moment to give my Papa a hug or to hear that encouragement he gave to me so well. And I know right now one of my friends is wishing he had his mom back after losing her to complications of a surgery one year ago today. So you never know when that moment of tragedy will strike and nothing will ever be the same. Thank Jesus for those you have and the moments you have with them.

Miss you all the time Papa

This post is dedicated to Aunt Risa. She was an amazing mother, as well as a kind soul.You were taken too soon but God's timing is hardly ever our timing. Hope you are enjoying heaven, know we are missing you down here.  

FREE HUGS!

So very often I get asked what is the thing you miss most from when I was abled bodies (not as gracefully put, but that is the general idea). This question is always one of my favorites because for a second I feel like I have a chance to remind someone to be thankful for the ability they have. And well my answers always seem to be different, because honestly each day there seems to be something I miss more than another. My typical response is usually missing softball, walking up stairs, going to the bathroom. But after the last time I was asked this I took some time to really reflect on what I truly miss most and I think I have finally come up with the answer. That would be hugging, ugh I miss that connection so much. On a horrible day there is nothing like a long embrace from a loved one that melts away all the bad. Sure I can still give hugs and I do as much as possible. But once again it just isn't the same. To be able to fall into someone's arms when I feel like my whole world is crashing down is the prefect remedy to make that moment simple and easy. It is amazing to see how often people hug and all the different occasions. Meeting new people, reuniting with old friends, bad days, exciting days, saying hello, saying goodbye, and just about everything in between is an occasion that requires a hug. Each time these occasions happen I watch people hesitantly go in for a hug with me and of course a hug period is wonderful to me. However generally a hug for me is pretty awkward because people don't know if I am fragile or not sure how to stratal the wheelchair. Just take note in knowing that I love my hugs so don't be shy, just not too rough because I am a little fragile. I don't want to go on and on about this subject just a little food for thought. Another instance where I hope to open the eyes of some to how lucky they are to have what they have. I am one who is extremely happy for what I am blessed with but someday when I am back on my feet everyone better watch out. I will be a hugging machine :)

-also a little side note, it is said that a person needs that type of human contact a hug provides to feel loved and whole. So give someone you love a hug today.