Putting a new twist on the Holidays



Posted: Monday, December 11, 2006

by Iris Taub

For some of us, celebrating holidays can be a joyous occasion but we all experience a time when we lose someone we love and of course we remember them most during a special occasion and it can sometimes put a damper on that event.

We lost a very special person on August 1, 2005. I have written about this special lady a few times and for the first year, every holiday and special occasion seemed so empty without her.

Mom was one of these unique people who would make any celebration complete. Her zest for life, and her dedication to family was her crowning glory. She was the glue that kept our family together and after her death, I wasn't sure if we would ever get that closeness back. I knew that in my heart that she would not want any of us to mourn her death but celebrate her life instead and I think I finally got it. Last weekend we celebrated our granddaughter's third birthday. Mom would always create a poem for every special occasion and I thought about how wonderful her perky little verses put a smile on our faces and more importantly made that occasion even more special. This year, I tried to keep that one tradition alive and wrote a little poem called , Our Family Tree.

I sent a copy to both our children over the internet but did not read that poem outloud since I also wrote a dedication to her which I knew some of our family were not ready to hear. I hope and pray that someday, they can look into their hearts and begin to heal and focus on the wonderful memories that Mom gave us and that they could finally look forward to each holiday and honor her by making new memories to keep alive as well.

Here is the dedication and poem I wrote and after I completed it, I could feel Mom's presence and love and I know that from now on, I will look foward to each special event and holiday and keep Mom's spirit alive.

In honor of a very special person, who brought so much love, laughter and joy to our family, and always had a wonderful poem to share at each family function, I decided to try and keep at least one of her traditions alive by writing this poem. She taught us so much about love, and showed us all on a daily baisis how much she loved and appreciated her family and life. She also taught each and every one of us the importance of family and when that family tree forms strong thick roots, there is nothing that can tear that tree down or that family apart.

Our Family Tree

June 24, 1973, Rusty and Iris became a family.

June12, 1975, Along came baby Ali to add to that tree, and then we became a happy family.

May 23, 1978, Was the date that brought us even more joy, because Adam was born, our little boy.

The years rolled by which was hard to believe, On May 20, 2001, Our Ali married her husband Steve

November 9, 2001, Adam took a bride. Bonnie, who had Caleb, a little son of her own. Becoming Grandparents that day was an added blessing and delight, and made us happy on how much our family had grown.

December 16, 2003, Alexis was born, and came into this world, and let it be known. that she would become the princess and sit high on her throne. Another grandchild to add to our family tree, and today we are all here to celebrate birthday number three.

I felt so calm and at peace after I wrote the poem and Mom's dedication, that I knew that from now on I would look forward to each and every special occasion and celebrate with the family and keep her spirit alive.

May everyone find peace and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. good health, love, family, peace of mind and good friends.

Iris S. Taub

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