Dear Family and Friends,

I hope that you have had a Blessed and Merry Christmas and that you will also have a Healthy and prosperous New Year! For our immediate family and for so many others in the world, this holy and holiday season has been melancholy, about new beginnings, remembering and celebrating the lives that were lost to us this past year. However, we also feel most blessed and humbled by so very much as we remember the birth of Jesus Christ and the greatest gift of all.
We think of our family and friends most every day, miss and love you very much.

Our Christmas tradition this year was different than other years past. Lanny always prepared the most memorable meals for our families. This year, I had to learn to be the “guest” again as we had two family Christmas Dinners. One on Christmas Eve with my sister as the hostess and the other on Christmas Day at the my son-in-laws parent’s home. Both meals and company were spectacular and the company was perfect. Yet, I did find myself missing Lanny and wanting to share everything with him. I think that maybe in some ways that I did as I carry his love in my heart each day. I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family members that love me just as I am as I do them of course. So, if you are getting this letter via e-mail or snail mail, please know that I count you as very special in my life.

It is my wish that each and every one of you have a much better 2008 than 2007 and that your hopes and wishes come true! And, that you have many blessings and know that you are thought of often and loved more than can be expressed.

Love, Maribeth