Holiday Homecomings

When I first started taking my family to a support group for pediatric cancer, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.  I had no idea that within months I was going to feel like this was my second family.  It was a foreign concept to think that we would find ways to laugh and be joyful during our daughter’s cancer.

Somehow, we did.

We did laugh…a lot.

We did cry…a lot.

We found understanding strangers who became friends that evolved into family.

And the family we built has been through some rough times.  Devastating times. We lost six children in the span of six months.  Our family was very much torn apart.

Those family members who no longer have their children were sent off to build a new family…and they SHOULD find a haven with people who truly understand their loss.

But you know what?

It sort of SUCKS.

We were the ones that shared every high and low.  We were the ones who laughed until we cried and cried ourselves back to smiles.  We stood together in solidarity during death after death, comforting each other the best we could.

I miss them.  I miss seeing them. I miss hearing what’s going on in their lives…good or bad…I want to hear it from their lips.

Tonight was a reunion of sorts.

When I walked into family group night so many of them were there and I saw faces there that have been missing.

I hugged a dad whose smile has the ability to brighten up my entire week.

I smiled seeing kids that melted back into play as if they’d never been gone.

I literally attacked a mom I haven’t seen in months.

We celebrated Thanksgiving together and like any good holiday, it brought all the kids home.

It was so good to be together.

***P.S. Because I totally forgot I want to extend the date on the contest giveaway just waiting for you to participate over at my review site. I’ll be pulling a winner on Saturday night at Midnight EST intead.  And seeing as how there are only a couple of people participating, chances are really good you’ll win! Free stuff, people! We are talking a wonderful regifting opportunity for the holidays.