We have reached the end of December, and this date on the calendar where we all look back at the year that was. Reflection is often difficult, reminding us that it's been another year without Shannon.
But as I look back at the photos we took in 2015, I am reminded to remember the good. Successful high school activities and academics, a wonderful amount of travel and rewarding work for me and Dan.
That's life, right? You can focus on what's missing or you can concentrate and what you have...
This is a constant dance for us as we can't ever forget what we've lost, nor do we want to. Shannon is with us always and her spirit is sometimes the rudder that rights my ship. I must go on because she wasn't able to...
Yes, life presents struggles and illness and death befall those that we love. But, the love is the thing. It wouldn't hurt so bad if we didn't love so much. And I understand now that in that love, we find warmth and security and healing. The love is worth the pain...
2015 saw us continue our work with the Shannon O'Hara Foundation. We are so close to reaching $100,000 raised. January could see us top that mark. That work is as rewarding as anything we do all year. Difficult and heart wrenching at times, but the love is worth the pain.
2015 was another year of growth for miss Erin. She's cruising through her sophomore year of high school, enjoying HS sports and the high school social life. That social life is improving every day as a new friend seems to get his or her driver's license every week! Erin is still a ways away from driving herself, but it's so much more fun to ride with friends than to be driven places by your mom...
So, on we go. The anniversary of Shannon's passing is just around the corner, but for today, I'm going to remember a successful year for our trio. Me, Dan and Erin continue to grow closer as each year passes. What more could I ask for...
Happy New Year!
