I would like to wish all a Merry Christmas this year and ask you to hold those you love extra close. Tell them many times each day that you love them. I did, and am so glad that I did.

Here's why. Four weeks ago I buried my Mother who died unexpectedly. EXACTLY 30 days later, last Sunday night, my brother was killed in an automobile accident. My emotions are so raw right now that I feel as if I will never recover from all this pain and grief. I struggle every day to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving with my life. I've cried what seems like rivers of tears. My mother and brother lived in another state but we talked every day by phone, never forgetting to say, "I love you." Now my phone is silent never to hear their voice again. I've gone to it a thousand times to call them, and then I remember........they're gone, forever.

As you sit down to Christmas dinner with your family, be sure and say a prayer of "thanks" for your loving family. Merry Christmas to all.