Happy Birthday

Today marks the official "first" for two dear friends of mine. It is a first no person wants to celebrate, but has to because there is no getting away from it. Today is the first holiday for Mike and Holly since they said goodbye to their sweet angel Sophie only 22 days ago. It's their shared birthday. A day that traditionally is celebrated with gifts and good humor and parties (and still will for them today) will be tinged with a bittersweet longing and impossible emotion.

Today marks the "first" in what is sure to be an unbearably long year of unwanted firsts...

her first Easter without her...

the first Halloween without her...

the first Christmas...

her first birthday...

without her.

That is not to say that all "firsts" will happen in the coming year. There will be more in the years to come. But there will be a lot in the next twelve months. They're all going to suck, but really, to have the official "first" be on your birthday, well, I wouldn't blame either of them if they didn't get out of bed.

They are strong people, even when they don't feel like it. And they have a strong support group of loving family and friends. Together, they will make it through every "first." From birthdays to holidays and everything else in between, they will make it.

And so with that, I would like to send up birthday wishes for two of the most amazing people I have ever met. Holly and WM Flynn...Happy, Happy Birthday to the both of you! I am keeping you close to my heart today, and every day. Know that Sophie is with you in your hearts, celebrating the births of the only two people who could have loved her as much as she deserved...you.