12/31/14- New Year’s Eve 2014
On this day of reflection we all take time to look back at
the year that is coming to a close. Some look back with fondness, some with
regret, others with great joy and excitement and others with many different
feelings that they just can’t put into words.
As for me…..I look back at what I can only say was once again “a roller coaster”. There are so many days that I think and feel like we are just fine and yet there are times that our hearts just melt into a jumble of pain and the tears flow like a river.
As for me…..I look back at what I can only say was once again “a roller coaster”. There are so many days that I think and feel like we are just fine and yet there are times that our hearts just melt into a jumble of pain and the tears flow like a river.
2014 brought many good times and have given me many moments
of joy and pride.
We celebrated our Gianna graduating high school and then
starting on her journey in college. Both of these special moments brought tears
of joy and great sadness at the same time. Carmen should have been here to see
his firstborn reach a goal that he helped her obtain by always patiently
helping her with homework or projects. Arguing with teachers whom he thought
were not doing a good enough job of helping her along and reminding her to
always do her best. He should have been here to see his dream of making sure
that after graduation she continued her education and followed her dreams to
find an occupation that would not be work but a passion that her heart could
enjoy.
We also celebrated our Toni “baby” becoming a teenager !! A
day that my strong man feared- he always said she was so much like him that he “dreaded”
the time when she would hit those teen years and all the worry that would
follow. But although Toni has always been a “little Carmen” she also has her
own personality and I know in my heart that these two were both so much alike
yet so very different. I fondly keep in
my heart seeing his daddy pride shining
thru. He loved her excitement at doing anything he was doing but especially
anything related to hunting, fishing or archery & her love for nature and
the outdoors !!
These two girls are growing & maturing into such beautiful
young women- both inside and out. Their caring, compassionate, gentle souls and
hearts continually and constantly amaze me and bring my heart just a sense of
joy and pride. I know that as Carmen looks down at us- he must light up heaven with
his excitement at these two precious gifts.
This year also brought sadness once again to our family as we suffered another loss when Carmen’s sister, Maria passed away in October. As a family we try to stay connected but as a lot of families know firsthand-losing so many pieces of the family puzzle makes it hard to see the big picture and to keep the family traditions going.
The girls started a new tradition the other year and with your help we hope that it will continue for many more years- it’s called Carmen’s Crew !! It came from a place of love in that they wanted to both remember and honor their father but to also encourage truck drivers like him who are away from their families especially at the holidays. You can find out more about Carmen’s Crew on facebook by searching for our page Carmen’s Crew- or you can type this into your address bar: https://www.facebook.com/CarmenDiLuzioCrew
This year also brought sadness once again to our family as we suffered another loss when Carmen’s sister, Maria passed away in October. As a family we try to stay connected but as a lot of families know firsthand-losing so many pieces of the family puzzle makes it hard to see the big picture and to keep the family traditions going.
The girls started a new tradition the other year and with your help we hope that it will continue for many more years- it’s called Carmen’s Crew !! It came from a place of love in that they wanted to both remember and honor their father but to also encourage truck drivers like him who are away from their families especially at the holidays. You can find out more about Carmen’s Crew on facebook by searching for our page Carmen’s Crew- or you can type this into your address bar: https://www.facebook.com/CarmenDiLuzioCrew
My closing thought for 2014 is to remind both myself and you
to- LIVE life fully & with no regrets, LOVE deeply those who are in your
life, and LAUGH…….we are NOT guaranteed tomorrow so embrace the life you have been
given and trust in the Lord’s promise- Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I
have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Farewell to 2014 & wishing you a Happy New Year in 2015
