So last year, I still had some difficulty posting on her birthday. This year, I feel like I am in a much better place in terms of recognizing the reality of our loss. I still feel a little melancholy a few weeks before Aug 7th even though I may not realize her birthday is coming up. It just feels like the hole in heart aches a little bit automatically. But this year I am trying hard to come to terms and accept. This year Chelsea turned 10 and Alyssa turned 8. I can't wait to see them again, I wonder how much they have grown this past year! Christy and I celebrated our "29 forever" (30th) birthday Vegas style a few years back and now I think about how she will be 31 1/2 forever. Maybe she's up there somewhere laughing about my emerging winkles and soon to be sagging parts...

We can at least all remember her smile, her hugs and the love she gave us before she left. That essence can last forever if we just remember.

Happy Christy Day,

Katie