Merry Christmas

One new Christmas Tradition that I have started with my wife, is gift that I give her every year. I make though an online service filled with pictures from the entire year. I usually include captions for the pictures and there is always and introduction page. This introduction page is the most important and meaningful page. On this page, I have the chance to write a message about the past year. Unfortunetely , many times looking back there are a lot of difficult obstacles that we have had to overcome over the course of the year. This year of course was no different. So here is what I wrote in the introduction this year;


"It is said that a picture can say a thousand words. If that is the case, then the pictures on the following pages tell many stories. These pictures tell stories of love and laughter. They tell about memories made with new friends and long time friends. They tell of travel adventures both near and far. They tell about a family with bonds so strong, they could never be broken.

"But pictures cannot tell the whole story. These pictures cannot tell about the pain and suffering that B and M have had to endure over the last year. These pictures cannot convey the sadness and despair that they have had to over come. They cannot show the disappointment and fear that they have had to face.

"If you look closely enough though, these pictures can tell a little bit more. They can tell you about the hope and faith that M and B have displayed in order to overcome these challenges. There is a hope, that soon, this will all be behind them and better times are ahead. There is a faith in each other that together, they will endure. There is a faith in God that He will be there will them every step of the way and see them through.

"However, no picture and no amount of words could really describe the love that M and B share. Even more amazingly, is the fact that this love for each other grows stronger each and every day.

"Although 2008 was not what they excepted or hoped for, there were still many great moments and unforgettable experiences, and despite all the adversity, their still smiling. "