Something Is Missing...

I can't help but have this feeling that something is missing.

Someone is missing.

This Thanksgiving will be hard for our family because it is the first Thanksgiving without my father in law, Ron.  For the past 6 years of my life, he was there...

It already doesn't feel like it's been almost a year since we have not had his jokes, his words, his presence around us.  I remember a year ago on Thanksgiving, we had dinner over at Justin's aunt and uncle's house.  Ron was very weak and didn't feel well.  We, of course, had Annaliese with us and because she was still pretty new, everyone in the family wanted to hold her.  Ron was nervous to hold his granddaughter, but Justin's cousin Angie, placed her in his arms as if almost forcing him to hold her.  He stared down at her for about a minute as she slept peacefully, despite being passed around between family members.

That was the last time he was able to hold his one and only grandchild.

I wish this wasn't the case.  I wish we could have him back here, on earth to join us for Thanksgiving dinner once again.  I know he's in the best place there is to be, heaven.  He will be missed, as he is every single day.

We are thankful for the years that we had with him, and the few precious moments that we were able to see him enjoy his grand baby.  Those moments are the ones we will tell Annaliese about.  About how Ron was so weak and frail that he didn't want to hold her in fear of hurting her by not supporting her body well enough with the little strength he had.  But he was brave and welcomed her with opened arms to take in the few small moments he had with her.  She was his peace.

This Thanksgiving we are all so thankful of so much.  Especially the little things...the small precious moments.  The moments of pure joy and love.  That is what Thanksgiving is all about.  Being thankful for the love of family and of friends and the enormous strength you have when you come together and bond.

Being thankful comes easy to those who realize their blessings everyday.

Be thankful.

Be blessed.

Picture taken and edited by my sister in law, Jenn