HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I wish all my friends and family a very happy thanksgiving! Remember to be thankful for everything positive in your life and let go of the negative.

I am thankful for my life with all the challenges; it taught me many lessons that I can use to be a better mother, wife and a better me.

Enjoy watching Charlie Browns Thanksgiving video🙏

Hugs
Jude

Emotions

For most people this time of the year is full of happiness with both Thanksgiving and the Christmas and Hanukkah holiday season upon us. We gather with our family, exchange gifts, share in delicious traditional feasts and celebrate life and the beginning of hope for the upcoming new year.

There are other people who have no family to exchange gifts, enjoy a meal or have someone to celebrate the season with. I cannot imagine being alone during this time of year. I hope if you know someone who may be alone, ask them to join your family. I will.

For many years the holidays were full of excitement in my family. I traditionally hosted the Thanksgiving dinner at my house and always had a house full of people. I loved the preparation, cooking and the feeling of belonging.

We traditionally have a Hanukkah party. In the past I especially loved watching everyone open their gifts, especially the children with their eyes full of pleasure. The floor would be covered with wrapping paper, ribbon and opened boxes. Jason always became lost amongst the array of trash. When we found him, he would be laughing with joy.

The holidays are not the same in my family after losing many loving family members. I am sure this is the case in your families as well. I miss my parents and my in-laws. I also miss my brother-in- law who left us way too soon.

Today I received a reminder in the mail from the funeral parlor who arranged the burial of my dear Jason. They are reminding me that his Yahrzeit candle should be lit on December 23rd this year. In the Jewish religion we pay tribute to our close family with the lighting of a Yahrzeit candle on the anniversary of their death according to the Jewish calendar.

This harshly brought me back to reality. I just lit my mother’s candle last week. You see, loved ones even die during, what should be, a happy holiday season. My mom died a day before Thanksgiving in 1986, and my dear, sweet son died December 22, 2006.

I miss them so very much. I am grateful for my memories. I am also grateful I can share Jason’s life with the world in 2015, with my newly published book, Our Special Child-Jason’s Story.

I do have something to look forward to.

I am going to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner at my son’s house with my grandchildren. I have no doubt my dear departed loved ones will be there in spirit.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. All my love,

Hugs from Jude

My Story Chapter 2

“If I Could” – Barbara Streisand

Jason

For the last two days I was busy cooking like I always have for the last 42 years. You see it has become a tradition in my family for me to host the Thanksgiving feast. In the past my house would be full of family and children all eating the traditional foods I always prepared. Now it is time to reflect…both my parents and in-laws are no longer with us and my dear brother-in-law who passed away three years ago. My nephew now has his own family gathering and my dear son is no longer in my world; he is in heaven probably enjoying my mother’ a cooking. My other son and his family alternate every year and this year he is with his in-laws. My house will feel somewhat empty tomorrow with only five at our table. However, I will have the pleasure of my sister’s company along with my niece and her friend .

As I was enjoying my yearly task of preparing my menu and cooking, I thought what it was like six years ago when I was sitting by my sons ‘a hospital bed holding his hand so he would know
I was with him so he wouldn’t be scared. He was inflicted with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy since birth and just a few days before was rushed to the hospital after he developed double aspirating pneumonia . He was very weak and was placed on a ventilator to help him breath .

I sat by his side for a month making sure he was well cared for. He eventually had a tracheostomy placed.

My son was 28 years old and lived a very challenging life and he no longer had the strength to hide his pain behind a great big smile he believed was his job to do. He no longer had the strength to keep us happy and finally succumbed to God’s calling on December 22, 2006. Thanksgiving and Hanukkah will no longer be a happy time for me without Jason in my life.

I still make the traditional Thanksgiving and celebrate Hanukkah now with my grandchildren but will always have a special place in my heart for my dear son. There are always memories of a full house with all my departed loved ones.

Jason ‘s memoir has been written and will be sent to my publisher sometime next year. He was a beautiful child with a loving soul and his story needs to be shared. I will keep you all posted when it is available.

I wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving . Enjoy your friends and family tomorrow and treasure the time you have with them .