In Loving Memory of Mom...: 12/01/2007 - 01/01/2008

Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year...

Today is New Years Eve and while others make their plans to party the night away I can't help but feel sad. I don't know if I can put it into words... I am sad to say goodbye to 2007...why you ask? I had the most horrible last six months of my life but yet I am still sad. It feels like with saying goodbye to 2007 that it's like losing my Mother again...weird I know but yet it's still how I feel. I guess since Mom passed in 2007 I will always feel a connection to it. It was the last year of her life and I think that's what makes me sad.

So Happy New Year to one and all... Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance...

Till next year....

~Christine

Friday, December 28, 2007

A star in the sky...


















On Christmas morning just before our breakfast Bobby & Steven presented the family with a beautiful surprise. In Mom's honour they named a star in the sky for her... Double click on the first picture to find the location of the star name Judith Rose Heredia...

Christmas Morning Poem...

Before we opened out presents on Christmas morning Dad wrote this poem...

It's not about Christmas
and the Christmas you see
or the presents and toys or the gifts two and three.
Not the tree with lights all lite bright you see,
It's about our Family, Our Family you and Me.
So let's all give a hug and love till we cry for
those who have left us stands here by our side
Merry Christmas and
God Bless us All

Merry Christmas in Heaven...

Well Mom I think we did it...Christmas was a success...at least that's what I have been told. We baked, we cut, we fried, we cleaned, we cooked, we laughed and yes we cried. We tried to make everything like you would have. Mia and I baked Chocolate Chip cookies and Eddie said they were a hit. We all pitched in and made the Struffola's and I do mean everyone. Even Rick tired his hand. It was great to all be together this Christmas and that's why John flew in Teresa, Rick and Matthew. He felt that we could all lean on each other and we did. There was on thing thou that we missed and that was YOU! We know you were here by our side, smiling and I'm sure laughing with us. You would have been impressed with every one's help.

Merry Christmas in Heaven!

Love, Christine

Sunday, December 23, 2007

A Christmas Blessing...

Today as we start to prepare the house for Christmas we remember those who can not be with us and those who have passed. Today to my total surprise John flew in my sister, Teresa, her husband Rick and my nephew Matthew. What a TOTAL blessing. He felt that we all needed to be together on this very special Christmas...the first without Mom. He felt that it was important that the family while we will never be complete without Mom was as complete as it could be. So to my husband I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have truly made Christmas what it is suppose to be about...FAMILY!

~Christine

Monday, December 17, 2007


Hallmark...Always Remembered Keepsake Ornament...
A delicate silvery dove Keepsake Ornament to honor the memory of someone special who will be remembered always...Mom

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

What if...

What if the brilliant twinkling stars that bring the dark night sky to life are windows looking out of heaven?And at the very moment when we’re wishing on those stars, hoping that the loved ones we have lost are happy, safe and free…maybe they are looking at those same stars from the other side, making the same wish for us…sending us all their love.
What if...

Monday, December 10, 2007

Six months...

Today marks six months that you have been gone
Six months have passed yet it seems so new
The pain is still here, stronger than ever

Six months of wishing for just one more day,
To ask your opinion or just know your there

Why were you taken I was not ready to let go
You were my rock, my heart and now your gone

I wish you were still here to lend me a hand or to
tell me that I’m not doing so bad.

It’s a tough role to fill but I am doing my best
Carrying on traditions they way you would have.

Six months have passed yet it seems so new
The pain is still here yet we must all still carry on.

I miss and Love you Mom…

~Christine

Out to eat...

Saturday night John and I went out to Popeye’s for some seafood. We went for their late night special (10 pm). I cried my eyes out before making the decision to go. Mom loved going. The memories of it being cold out, seeing all the lights as we drove there just made me so sad… Sad that I can never experience this again with her. Sad that she’s not here to celebrate the holiday with…just sad…

~Christine

A visit...

On Friday I had Mia for the day and so I thought it would be nice to go up to Mom’s job and to visit with everyone. I haven’t been there since Mom’s passing so I thought bringing Mia with me would soften the pain. It was great to see everyone and they are always so warm and welcoming. I cried a little but in the end I was happy that I had stopped in for the visit…

~Christine

Monday, December 3, 2007

Happy Birthday to Me...

I have had a very emotional weekend and then with today being my birthday...well it didn't help. I didn't want to celebrate the day... am I wrong, I don't know. I woke up in a bad mood, eyes swollen from crying and went to work. At work they decorated and gave me cards and had a breakfast for me. I have to tell you that it worked...it made me feel better. Then with all of the Birthday wishes from family and friends I am feeling better. I guess I just have to remember that people are there for me and while it is okay to reframe from celebrating it's also okay too.

~Christine

Saturday, December 1, 2007


I wanted to post these photos for those who can't bring themselves to go to the cemetery (and that's perfectly understood) and for those who live far away.

I know this will be hard for some of you to view but if you choose to view closely you with see her beautiful head stone that reads:


Judith R
Jan 10 1948
Jun 10 2007
Beloved wife of SSG
James J
Heredia
USA
Mother and Nana
Forever with Us

And that she is...Keep warm Mom...Love ya,

~Christine

It's time...


Yesterday we went to Abby's Nursery to pick out our Christmas tree and to get Mom a Blanket for the cemetery. A grave blanket is placed in front of the head stone and is decorated for Christmas. It's to keep her warm :)

We picked out our tree and then it was time to decide on a blanket. Picture this...John and I out at around 5:30, 30 degrees, dark and very cold ... crying. The only word for this is that it sucked...Mom should be here with us picking out our tree and not us picking out a blanket to place on her grave. But this is what we had to do. There were so many to choose from ... we went with a beautiful, yet simple one. It has a red bow (her fav color), poinsettia flowers and pine cones. It is very nice and we hope you all think so too.

~Christine

Nana and her babies...

Nana and her babies...
Gavin, Matthew & Mia with Nana taken Easter Morning 2007