~My Dear Friend, Esty Loving
Taking a break, breathing in the fresh air around me…. did wonders for my perspective and my soul. I was reminded that life really does have meaning, even after a loss. That I “can” do this hard thing with out her. That I am still here and that my family story is not one of heart break and loss, but a story of hope, grace and most of all new beginnings.
Since the last time I wrote, life has changed for me in small but measurable ways. Some, I believe, miraculous. My cancer is still gone, almost 6 years later. My next MRI is scheduled for next Wednesday, but I am confident that it will all be fine. I am off all of my meds, {yes, I was on antidepression and sleeping medication} It took me about one week to get off 3 drugs without one side ffect. That in and of itself is miraculous! Mark and I have started a church in South Sarasota called The Gathering Place with our dear friends, Dan and Cathy Groff. Easton {our daughter} is leading worship and the prayer room. Mark and I celebrated our 18th anniversary {another miraculous event!} He took me to Old St. Augustine, Florida… We had a blast just spending time together & getting to know each other once again…
All in all, life is going pretty good. There are moments during my day where I stop and think about her and what it would be like if she were still here. Thanksgiving day was brutal, because every where I looked, I was reminded of how she loved that time of year. Christmas is going to be rough, because she loved loved loved all things related to Christmas.
But then, I stop and remember that it is Christmas all the time where she is at. 
Despite my many losses and heartache, I really do have an awesome life with awesome people in it.
And as my dear friend Esty so eloquently said:
