A year of mixed emotions

Well, 2009 is gone. Just like that. I was looking forward to it ending, and hoping that it would not all at the same time. We have had an unbelievable year full of blessings...and great sadness.

But...life moves on.

We moved back "home", built our dream house...filled it up with our little birds and grandlittle birds, rekindled old friendships...life was grand...life was just as it should be. Then it screeched to a halt. We are still feeling the affects of the whiplash. Our lives have been altered...forever. I miss my sweet grandlittle bird, Carter, every minute of every day. There is an empty place in my heart...a place that was reserved for him.

I know I should be focusing on all the blessings in our life...there are way too many to count! God has been so good to us. He has filled our lives with the love of a wonderful family and numerous friends. And He has covered us with His grace to get through our pain and deep sadness.

2010 has arrived. There is no going back. Yes, life moves on.

This year ended an era in the Wilkinson family...the whole Wilkinson family...not just our nest. We have traditionally gathered at the home of D'dad and Namby...my honey's parents...every third Christmas. All the birds flew home to the "mothernest"...brother Andy and his flock, sisters Jenny, Martha and Annie and their flocks. There are around 30 birds, grandlittle birds, and great grandlittle birds. What fun we have had over the years...such wonderful memories we have made!



But, this year was the last year we will all gather in Illinois at the "mothernest". It was an emotional year for me...I have been a part of the Wilkinson family traditions since 1973 when my honey and I started dating. Although we plan to continue to gather at the BlessInn every third Christmas because that will be D'dad and Nam's new address, some of the traditional things that we have come to love will stop or at least be quite different.

Yes, life moves on.

I am thankful for everything the year has brought to us, but I am also happy to say goodbye to a year that ended so tragically. I am thankful to be a part of such a close and loving family with such strong traditions, but am sad to see them end or change.

Wishing us all a happy, healthy 2010 filled with the love of family and friends, and the beginning of new traditions. May God continue to pour his blessings on us all!