We have all heard how holidays are hard. They are. Last year both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve we spent at the hospital, Tanner had surgeries to help with the pain he was going through. Remembering those painful days of this time last year and finding ourselves facing our first Christmas without his presence, we needed to do something to remember the good days. All the fun times together, smiles, laughs, hugs, his spirit!

On Sunday, December 21 we provided a home cooked dinner to 76 families, about 115 people at the Ronald McDonald House. This was something our family talked of doing since we left there. We felt this would be a wonderful way to honor and remember Tanner at this time, and to channel our thoughts and energy toward a positive event.

With help from Cindy & Bob, Bill & Louise, Tanner’s brothers Adam and John, John and my self, we prepared a dinner that turned out awesome! We served Chicken Parmigini, pasta with red sauce, greenbeans with bacon, rolls and a great refreshing punch. Dessert was 10 homemade Harvest Apple Skillet cakes and many many dozens of Aunt Louise’s homemade and decorated sugar cookies. Everyone enjoyed this meal and we enjoyed providing it, normally meals are not provided on weekends by volunteers. The weather turned frightful that Friday and was to remain blizzard conditions through the next week. We were determined to follow through with the dinner as planned and headed over to stay at Adam’s Saturday, so we would at least be over the pass. Seattle definitely had road problems with all the snow, thankfully we did not have to travel to many roads off the main freeways. We are so thankful that we chose to do this at this time. Many smiles confirmed to us, we were where we were supposed to be. It felt good.

Our family New Years will be quietly spent with our families and friends. We are so thankful for all the love and support.

Wishing each of you a healthy and peaceful New Year.

Cathy and John