Dear Nii,

I am trying so hard, not to dwell on the fact that this holiday season reminds us so much of what we were doing last year by this time and the fact that the 7th of January is fast approaching.

On Christmas day, we did nothing. It was an ordinary day with no cooking, no fan fare or no visits. It was nothing like our annual Christmas trip to you and Sheila's home where the food spread was displayed on the table per Sheila's strict guidelines, as she adorned the layout with drinks for the inevitable pictures she would demand before we were all allowed to dig in. I reminisce about those times and I can see all the smiles on the faces and roll of the eyes when Sheila makes the request that you should take pictures of the spread. It would be a day of eating, chatting, watching movies or watching you share the latest technology invention yet to make it to to the market. We would leave very late at night with our doggy bags, planning to rendezvous again on New Year's day.

I missed you last year, sad that our relocation to Indiana had marred the tradition. Danny and I kept cajoling you guys to come visit but that did not happen, as you guys were planning to come over the Easter break. Little did we know that on the 1st of January, our lives would be turned upside down and that on the 7th, you will be no more.

This year, 2016, there have been so many other deaths, than I would like to count-- including one of a dear friend called Bruce Mentzer who was so funny, he reminded me of you. I wonder if you two will meet on the other side.

Decembers and Januaries would forever be marred in our family, if we are lucky (blessed) enough to live many more years.

You will always be with us...through the tears and through the laughter.

Happy New Year????

Naa Norley