Happy 73rd birthday in Heaven Galen! Wow, that's old! haha. I was looking back on the entries here on your page and it has been way too long since I visited and wrote. I am so sorry, it has been a couple years, 2018. Seems I wrote since then, but I guess not. Time gets away from us, but no excuses here.
Mom and I had a nice day going to the Degrazia's chapel after church today, in memory of your birthday. It was kind of an impromptu decision, we didn't have anything to leave there on the shrine, but Mom left some coins because we recalled the memory of when you both would look for change in the parking lots or drive thrus. We shared many memories of our time there back in 1996 on your special day, uniting with our family (Mom and I). You filled our lives with so much joy and laughter. We miss your presence and I miss your smile and advice (although I really don't need so much of that anymore, haha).
Feb. 14th and Sept. 27th are the hardest days for us, I think. Although we miss you every day, and holidays are hard too like Christmas.
I really love and appreciate Mom and my tradition of renting the cabin in Pinetop for Christmas. We have been doing that for about 5 years now (well, since you passed). It's not really sad for us to be there, even though we have memories of being there with you, for some reason. I don't take it for granted for a minute, because you never know when something will happen in life and you won't be able to go anymore, and have to think "wow, that was our last year going up there." I don't know why I talk that way, I just really cherish every time we are there. It feels like you and John are with us too, in a sense. You can surely sense when we greatly miss you, on holidays, I suppose.
I will try not to let so much time lapse until my next entry here. Love and miss you always and have a swell birthday in Heaven with all the beautiful souls and loved ones that surround you! I miss our "combined" birthday celebrations, Galen!
Love always, Heather
