Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
One of the many things that I have missed this holiday season is the rides TLO and I took to see the beautiful Christmas lights up and down Ocean Drive in Palm Beach and Broward County, Florida. Usually our drives were filled with lots of chatter, or gossip, depending on your point of view. Yet one thing that we did during these rides that I miss the most is simply holding hands. There is so many ways to express love, yet there is nothing more basic, more real, than to hold hands. That gentle touch which brings
comfort in so many ways, is missing this holiday season.Christmas eve was always our special night. Whether our pocket books were flush or not, we always made that evening, our evening. We would sit down and plan for weeks about what posh restaurant where we would make our reservation. Yet no matter
where we decided to have dinner on Christmas eve, we always made plans to end the evening with a drive down Ocean Drive to see the Christmas lights. Of course a nice ice cream cone was in order too!
where we decided to have dinner on Christmas eve, we always made plans to end the evening with a drive down Ocean Drive to see the Christmas lights. Of course a nice ice cream cone was in order too!I have not taken a drive down Ocean Drive this holiday season. Yet I think I am going to take that ride on Christmas eve as a way to remember…as a way to celebrate our life together, as a way to create my own Healing Ties, but most of all, I am going to take that ride just to be thankful for having the experience of love and being loved. Caregiving is over for us; but love endures forever and love does make the ride worthwhile.
To all who are grieving this holiday season, I wish you peace, comfort and lots of Holiday Hugs!
The Purple Jacket 
Dear Chris,
Thank for your kind message of love, joy and happiness.
Many hugs,
Dominic
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Thank you Dominic! The hugs are returned two-fold!
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Chris, Enjoy that “ride” and best wishes for this Holiday season. God bless you and yours and take care, Bruce
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Thank you Bruce for your kindness and support! The best to you and yours this Holiday season!
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Thank you for sharing! You may not know how you touched “our” hearts, Loren
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I appreciate your comments, Loren…Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!
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As one of your followers, I always enjoy the stories about your times with TLO. I think your Christmas Eve dining and driving story is a beautiful one. And your comment about creating your own Healing Ties going forward is a poignant statement about carrying your memories with you while creating new ones. Beautiful.
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Soooo Good to hear from you and thanks for your kind words. I especially appreciate ‘carrying your memories with you while creating new ones’…Thank you for that! I think tonight’s drive will be a way to create new memories, and I know you’ll be along for the ride in spirit and support!
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Looking forward to it! from Irene in Redmond, Washington.
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I’ll be sure to take some great pictures this evening, Irene!
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Beautifully written and such a testimony of the love you shared with Richard. Best to you this Christmas season, Chris!
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So good to hear from you Kate! Thank you for your kind words, i aporeciate it. Have a wonderful holiday season; lets find a time to visit in January!
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Hi Chris., So glad we spoke earlier. What a beautiful post ! As you know Richard always met with my mother while she was in Florida, but she always came home for the Holidays.Again best to you and yours. Harriet
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I enjoyed our visit too, Harriet! My best to everyone on Long Island!
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Chris, Have a Merry (healing) and Joy filled Christmas.
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Thank you…and You Too! Thanks for all the care and support in 2014!
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What a wonderful blog…I lost my partner of 16 years this summer and this Christmas has been difficult and different. Thanks for sharing…I am making new traditions.
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Thanks for your kind words, Marcus…I appreciate you stopping by. Seems like we are both making new traditions this year. All my best to you!
Chris
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My heart jumps out of my bossom and goes out to you. May our God fill every gap in your life and heart.
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Thank you ever so kindly for beautiful message! Your encouragement brings joy to my heart! Blessed New Year to you and your loved ones!
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