Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Aidan,

Today was the first time this season that it snowed! When you woke up this morning, I asked you to go look out the window to see. You went all groggy-eyed, opened the curtain, and boy did your eyes light up. You said, "It No-d!". Then you proceeded to tell me that you were going to go put your shoes on so you can go outside to play in it. It took a bit of convincing you talk you out of it, and that we would go outside after nap (since it was still snowing, and blowing pretty hard). Daddy stayed home from work this morning due to the roads being closed. He then left about lunchtime to head off to work.

So I set my alarm to wake you up at 4:30pm from nap. I told you that would be when we can go outside for a little bit, then we would need to get started on dinner. Oh, you didn't even wait until the alarm went off. In fact, you woke up about 10 minutes before. It was almost as if you knew the excitement to come. So we got up, got dressed all warm, and headed outside. Boy was it cold! You started getting snowballs and tossing them into the driveway to watch them break apart. Mommy had to shovel the driveway while you played, but you did just fine on your own. You brought out your little red firetruck and proceeded to take it into the yard. You said something about running out of flowers (not sure what that was about), and you needed to go next door to find more.

While I was making dinner with daddy, you asked what we were having. I said, "we are having chicken". And guess what, you said "I LoVe Chicken!!" all excited. You are such a little oddball, but I love you for your little personality.

We have big plans for this weekend. We are headed back to Topeka tomorrow for funeral services for your Uncle Jeff. We will be gone all weekend. I know you don't understand any of this right now, but one day, I hope you ask about him.

Christmas is coming up very soon. You are stoked about it. You keep wanting to open presents, but I keep telling you that you have to wait until Christmas day. You always say, "We have to wait until Santa comes, then we can open all the presents!". I know you will have a good holiday this year, because you have so many people who love you so much.

With all my love,

Mommy

Tragic Endings

My Dearest Aidan,

These past few days have been the hardest to deal with. I am sometimes thankful that you are so young and innocent that you have a hard time understanding the world around you. I want to shield you from all the hurt and shame that this world has to face. First of all, on Friday, December 14th, there was a tragic shooting at an elementary school in a small town of Connecticut. Mommy was having surgery that morning to have her gallbladder removed, and while in recovery, I saw it on the news. It breaks my heart because 20 children lost their lives, as well as 8 adults. It makes me sad because you are so young, and now I am scared to send you off to school in a few years. I am sad because these kids won't get to see Christmas. This is supposed to be a time for celebration and happiness, not fear and heartbreak.

While mommy was in the hospital, you were so worried about me. I had to stay for a little while to recover, and when daddy tried to take you home after lunch to take a nap, you refused. He said you cried all the way home, and that you wanted your mommy. That made me so sad, but I knew you were in good hands. Plus, you would eventually come back to see me.

On Saturday, December 15th, mommy went down to your Aunt Jenny and Uncle Chris's house to make cookies with Grandma. I was only there for a little while before you and daddy came to pick me up to go to the Christmas party that afternoon. I missed you so much while you were gone. And I didn't really get to see you again until Sunday night when we got home after making all sorts of delicious cookies and candies. Oh little one, you make my heart so happy.

Sunday was a tragic day. I know you are too young to understand this either, but I want you to remember someone. Your Godfather, Jeff, was a police officer who was shot and killed while on duty Sunday night. Jeff had always wanted to be a police office since he was a little boy in 2nd grade. It was his dream. Daddy and Jeff were best friends, and Jeff was Daddy's best man at our wedding. Daddy has known Jeff since he was in 1st grade, and they have grown up together all throughout school. Daddy and I decided to have you baptised when you were just shy of 3 months old, and we picked Jeff as your Godfather because he is such a good man and a good role model. We wanted you to have someone who would be an inspiration on your life. Jeff has a little boy who is just 1 week younger than you, and I hope that you will still get to see him growing up. It would be really neat if you two would end up being best friends someday too, although we wouldn't pick your friends for you. Aidan, I know you are still a young child who doesn't know the things that happen in this world, but someday, you will understand. I want you to always remember that you had an "Uncle" Jeff, because he was a brother to your daddy, and we want to make sure we keep his memory alive in our hearts forever. Daddy and I believe that Jeff will be watching over all of us from Heaven above.

When we lose someone we love

We learn to trust somehow

That a new life in a brighter place

Is just beginning now

A place of grace and peace and joy

Beyond all time and sorrow

Where loving hearts who part today

Will meet again tomorrow

-unknown-

 

With all my love,

 

Mommy



 

**RIP Jeff**

1983-2012