With November approaching, I find myself thinking of the fast approaching holiday season which will be here before we know it. This is my favorite time of year even with all the business and stress that this time of year brings. I find myself every year reminiscing of the holidays of my childhood remembering all the family festivals and all the cherished thoughts I have of those days. Family time together is what it is all about. These are the moments that cannot be replaced and will be remembered for years to come.

While this year I am dealing with some painful issues I have to lock them away for myself and my children. I find my heart breaking when I think of my mom and how things have ended when I cannot keep my thoughts in my box. It is the time of year for us to be thankful of the many blessing in our lives which we can easily forget to be thankful for with our busy lives. I want to give my children the same memories to one day to cherish.

I am looking forward to preparing for the holiday season and the excitement of my children. Honestly, I took all of my holiday childhood memories for granted for a long time until I became a foster parent. I then realized that some children do not even know what it is like to experience the basics of the holiday seasons.

During the holiday season I always find myself reflecting over the events of the year and where I want my life to go the next year. While I have experienced some painful losses in my adoption journey I know that I am moving forward, maybe just a few baby steps, but none the less moving forward. While it is not the journey that I had hoped for, it is what it is.