I never thought I would have a blog to remember one child much less two children, but I do.

This blog is now  a memorial for both Jake and & Anne

Anne left us two years ago today after a long battle with breast cancer.
I miss them both horribly. I miss their personalities. I miss being their Dad

I am fortunate to know many other children (Now most of them adults), but to me they are my kids including:
Alex (of course), Reese, Jade, Joelle, Nick my little granddaughter Heather and others that I am able to affect and influence in a positive way.

I also have many other people that I am able to help and influence in different ways.

They have saved me.

This year and every year following, I would only ask that the holidays bring these people and others to me  or me to them for nothing more that a nice day together.
Individually or separately, I don't care.

As we get older,  we realize that mostly the things we long for are most times just that....things.
I never saw a UHaul  on the back of a hearse.

We live in a library, and all the stuff we collect we really are just borrowing, to be given to someone else when we are gone or thrown away completely.

All that matters is Family, Friends and Pets.

So this year and the years following, when the holidays come and you are stressed because you're trying to figure out or afford  what to get for people... instead, plan a day with them. Not a hour or a lunch,  aim for a day.

Not because you have to... because you don't. Not because you should....

Do it for yourself, to remember when life seemed simpler and getting together was something you did when you were younger and didn't have the worries and stresses you have now.

Anyone can buy socks, But you cannot buy lost time. When it is gone, it is gone. You can, however create new memories so that when you see these people you can "remember when."

Take it from someone who knows....twice. What I have left from Jake and Anne are memories...great memories and no regrets of time not spent, only that I can not spend more time with them now.

I challenge the world and would look forward to good reports of the great times you had, the old memories you remembered and the new memories you create.

To honor my beautiful daughter who left us far too soon, here is her memorial video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI9N5b4ErkM&t=3s