Christmas out west and the giveaway winners

Merry Christmas to all of you in blog land, I hope that you all are feeling full and sitting around with all your loved ones. I hope you also got everything you wanted and more than you can ever imagine.
Christmas is mostly nostalgic for me and I miss my family and friends that have left this earthly existence, I miss their touch, their voices, and their smell. I miss my time with them, they made Christmas what it was. Spend time with those that are here now and make the most of it for you, them, and for the ones before.
I got this in a newsletter I subscribe to the day before Christmas and it seemed to make things a little easier for me, maybe it will help those of you that miss your loved ones too.

  "As you think of me today and always, I will be standing by your side. The best gift you can give me this time of year is to celebrate and laugh with me like we always did. I may not be physically present but I will make my presence known...a flickering light, the phone going off, a cardinal in the snow, my shadow in a picture, hearing my voice, smelling my scent, feeling me stand behind you. I promise you this...you will always have me. Until we are completely together again, I am wrapping you in a blanket of love that will surround you in your most trying day. Feel my arms around you, holding and comforting you. Here is my holiday wish for you:

"I wish for you strength when you are weak and need me to hold you up. I wish for you laughter when you can't bear the thought of smiling again. I wish for you light when your flame goes out and clear vision to see me in dreams and in others as you walk along the winding road of life. Always remember...I'm not dead, I'm different.""

From Maureen Hancock's newsletter

 I am so sorry I didn't get to these sooner, with Christmas and not being fully up to par, I fell down on the job!

The Winners for the giveaways are.

part one- Chris

part two- Frances Bauer

part three- Frances Bauer

part four- Mrs. B

I will talk to you all soon.

Bless you all.