It’s December. Thanksgiving
transitions seamlessly to Christmas preparations and celebrations. As a child
and then as a mother of young children,
December truly was the most wonderful time of the year. Grandchildren help pick
up the slack as the magic begins to dim and is replaced by the occasional, “Bah
humbug!”
As with everything else, the
Christmas holydays are divided by “then” and “now.” And for some reason a line
from another George Harrison tune keeps playing in my mind over and over. Back
then, as a family, when we was fab,
we weren’t perfect but we were together and intact. There was no black hole in my heart –
a hole so deep it can never be filled. Now I feel frozen. Another year has
passed and I still feel somewhat numb at times.
During December of 2012, I
felt as if we were trying too hard to “make Christmas." This year
some dear friends have offered us the use of their condo in Florida, and we’ve
decided to go Christmas day. Our oldest daughter and her significant other are
leaving with us. One of our twin sons and his family will be only 10 to 20
minutes away, staying with his wife’s parents.
Avoidance was a theme both
last year and this one. Avoidance is a theme of the numb, of the frozen. However,
those missing loved ones during special times of the year are more than aware
that, whether one stays or goes, "you can run but you can’t hide”! Avoidance is simply another illusion.
I don’t feel magically merry this Christmas season, but I do want to honor those I love. And I want to
honor Brandon, who would want all of us to enjoy time with each other during this special
season of the year.
I hope I’ve found some ways to honor loved ones still in
this world, but I’d like to ask for
everyone’s help to honor Brandon in one or a few special ways. 1. Brandon was always a kind
person and he performed numerous acts of kindness. Some I knew of, but I’m only
now learning of so many others. With that in mind, I ask you to perform a “Brandon
Act of Kindness” in his honor during this holiday season – no matter how big or
how small. (No act of kindness is ever too small!) 2. I don’t want any other
family to have to watch their child, their sibling, their spouse – no matter
how young or how old – die of a head and neck cancer and then have to live on
with deep black holes in their hearts. If possible, consider a contribution
to the Brandon C. Gromada Head & Neck Cancer Foundation to support
innovative research focused on finding cures for these cancers.
3. Lavish your fab family with
love during this blessed season…
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