Taytam at Christmas time

Everyone warns you that the first year after a loved one has passed away is the hardest.  The first of each holiday, their birthday, or any anniversaries, without your loved one can be very hard.  Since we have been prepared for the worst at each holiday, it hasn't been as painful as we expected so far.  But will Christmas be the same?  We can hope.  Luckily this time of year is so busy that it leaves little time to sit & feel sorry for yourself.

We want to do something special for the kids each Christmas to remember Taytam.  This year we are giving them a beautiful picture of the St. George Temple that has their name on it & the saying 'I love to see the temple' for them to hang in their rooms.  Hopefully this will be a meaningful gift that they will enjoy looking at for many years to come. 

Another Taytam tradition that we are starting this year is Taytam's Christmas Jar.  For several years we have collected our change throughout the year then used it for someone less fortunate at Christmas time.  Sometimes we just anonymously give the money to someone who needs it, sometimes we use the money to buy gifts for someone in need, sometimes we just give the money to our bishop to use as he feels right.  Well, starting this year we are going to use the money to buy gifts and clothes for a little girl in need who is the same age that Taytam would be if she were still here with us.  It feels special, & it feels like a good way to remember our sweet Tater-tot at this wonderful time of year.  We miss her so much everyday, but the pain gets less & less as the time passes.  I can now understand the saying 'Time heals all wounds'...the time at least helps to lessen the intensity of the pain.  Thank goodness for our understanding of Heavenly Father's plan and our testimonies of where Taytam is today. Merry Christmas Taytam!