"Twas' the month before Christmas and I dreaded the days,
that I knew I was facing-the holiday craze.
The stores were all filled with holiday lights,
In hopes of drawing customers by day and by night.
As others were making the holiday plans,
my heart was breaking-I couldn't understand.
I had lost my dear child a few years before,
and I knew what my holidays had in store.
When out of nowhere, there arose such a sound,
I sprang to my feet and was looking around.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The sight that I saw took my breath away,
and my tears turned to smiles in the light of the day.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a cluster of butterflies fluttering near.
With beauty and grace they performed a dance,
I knew in a moment, this wasn't by chance.
The hope that they gave me was a sign from above.
That my child was still near me and that I was loved.
The message they brought was my holiday gift.
And I cried when I saw them in spite of myself.
As I knelt closer to get a better view,
one allowed me to pet it-as if it knew-
that I needed the touch of its fragile wing,
to help me get through the holiday scene.
In the days that followed, I carried the thought,
of the message the butterflies left in my heart-
That no matter what happens or what days lie ahead,
our children are with us-they're not really dead.
Yes, the message of the butterflies still rings in my ears,
a message of hope-a message so dear,
and I imagined they sang as they flew out of sight.
"To all bereaved parents ~ we love you tonight."

Christmas In Heaven
We've shared our hearts, full of Holiday Cheer and shopped for presents for loved ones this year
The house is dressed up with garland and lights that sparkle and shine through the Holiday nights
But even with all of this Holiday bliss there's someone we lost that we terribly miss and as this Christmas Day draws near we wish with all of our hearts she was here.
She's living her life way up past the stars somewhere past Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. She's spending her Christmas in Heaven, you see and last night as I slept, a dream came to me.
She was standing before me, happy and well. She said to me "I have something to tell...Heaven's more wonderous than you would believe, it's the greatest of gifts I could ever receive.
I'd like for you all to remember the good... you know that I'd be there if only I could. So don't feel so bad that I'm not there. There are so many memories you can share.
As you gather together, I'm sure you'll find the gifts deep within you that I left behind. Each one is unique and wrapped brightly in love, they shine from your hearts as I shine from above!"
-Author-Kris Smith
Katelyn, I love you so very much!
I know your Christmas will be like no other now that you are free and with our Lord but for me it will never be the same until you are in my arms again! I love you with all my heart!!
Mommy

December 24, 2007
CHRISTmas Eve
Katelyn, as Christmas draws near, only hours left, I think of our Christmas' pasts and am forever grateful at the time we had!!
I am truly comforted by knowing where you are this Christmas, what an absolutely amazing place to be!! We will be together again for Christmas one day, until then I love you with all my heart and I treasure our wonderful memories all the time!!!!