Surprising how time quickly passes us by.  Christmas came and went. (Thank God!) It was dark for most of us.  As I posted previously, this was our second Christmas without Mason here, sharing in this, his favorite holiday...especially with his daughter, Teagan.  

Those two would have been fantastic to watch as each probably would have enjoyed the holiday because of the presence of the other.  One would have started the snowball effect of love and laughter that would have gone around our family a million times in just one day!

Mason was here and I felt his presence, I just wish I could have physically felt him.  I have wished for one more time with Mason and then I wonder if that would be enough and we all know the answer to that one.

As I eluded to earlier, Christmas and New Year seemed weighed down with darkness that our whole family felt.  As there was nothing we could do but continue to live through it and make it the best Christmas for each other, but all of us had one person in mind to make this holiday special for...your right, Teagan.  She was the shining light of love and laughter that spread like wildfire  Keri and Breezy were relaxed with one another's company and found an easy comfort in each other.  Grandma (GiGi) and Rabbit came and brought along with them Mark and Makenzie, who was more interested in Teagan's presents that she was!

On January 2, the darkness lifted.  I was going on a run, early in the morning and felt lighter as the sun rose on that cold, clear day.  It was then I knew, the darkness was over and it would be okay to live, for a little while at least.  I remember my run being easier, my legs not so heavy to move, breathing in the frigid air seemed not as diffcult to move in and out, actually finding and relaxing in a rythmic pace for 8 miles.  In this lightness I am reminded that there is a purpose and that my purpose is helping others, but in that, I have to figure out how to help myself first.

There is a show on CBS, LFTM which stands for Live For The Moment where a man with a family was diagnosed with ALS and told to prepare to die.  He wasn't ready, as most of us aren't, but knew that he was ready to live and to live each day with boundless energy and explore all options and act on them immediately because you never can count on later or even tomorrow.  This show hit home as I am reminded to live and that it's ok to live and carry on in Mason's honor and memory.  I was reminded that Mason also lived like there was no tomorrow and his endless energy, contagious smile, his willing and helping hand and generous heart allowed him to live free and for the moment.  I will look into living more like Mason.  Thanks for sharing, caring and reading...until next time ♥

The Christmas season is upon us.  This will be our second Christmas without Mason. 

Christmas was one of Mason's favorite holidays.  Our thoughts and conversations often turn to him this time of year.  Just this morning we were talking about how Mason always believed there is a Santa Claus.  His last Christmas Eve that he was home, he was 21, he left a note for Santa pledging his goodness all year long!  (HaHaHa, the jury is still out on that!) But let's not let Tyler and Breezy off the hook as they too left Santa a note along with cookies and milk and carrots for the reindeer! 

Santa will come for Mason this year, but he will leave gifts to Teagan in Mason's place.  You see, God sent us an angel in Teagan and we are truly blessed that Mason left us this gift. Mason is still with us, in Teagan.

Teagan and I went walking last night looking at our neighborhood's decorations and lights. It reminded me of the magic of the holiday as we now see it in Teagan's eyes.  She grew more and more excited with each house we visited. (You know some probably thought we were casing their houses as we walked up their driveways and lingered a bit!) She clapped, laughed, squatted and stared at the displays as if the twinkling lights were speaking to her.  All of the lit up animals, snowmen, penguins were there just for her to enjoy.  Our walk together gave me a feeling of hope and love for this little being that I only thought possible with our own children.  Teagan lights up our lives, just as her Daddy's megawatt smile lit up a room! Our walk gave me peace and reminded me that we will all be ok.  Happy Holidays and thanks for visiting. :)

Well here we are at our 2nd Thanksgiving without Mason. But this year was even more different because Tyler and Debra had to work and stay in Orlando. We were also without Breezy because she was preparing with her FSU women's soccer team; getting ready to play Notre Dame the day after.  We have enjoyed our little bundle, Teagan Mason and what a joy she has been!  We missed the turkey bowl at Choctaw for the 2nd striaght year. I remember the year before Mason passed,  when out of the clear blue sky he came home, all sweaty from a great holiday game!  Mason always made sure when he went and played at pickup games he would always say to Breezy "grab your cleats so you can play too" and he always made sure that she got in, no matter who was playing. Thanksgiving reminds us that we are incredibly thankful for the family and friends who continue to share their Mason stories on this site, our emails and in person.  We value this connection and absolutely love the tales.

Well here we are at the first birthday of Mason's little girl Teagan. What a wonderful birthday it was, she looked so sweet in her little outfit that I could not but help to wonder how proud of this little girl Mason would be. He seemed to have that joy for kids that seem's to elude most people his age. He went out of his way to entertain little kids of all ages. Teagan has turned out to be such a blessing that I now understand how sometimes the circle of life seems to take us in a new direction with a new plan of how we are suppose to live. As the holiday season comes upon us again we will again wonder WHY. Thanks again for visiting Mason's web page.  

Well here we are again at the beginning of another school year and the start of soccer, which we all know has always been a big part of our lives.  

Breezy is now off at FSU and already started preseason training.  We believe that Mason would be also playing at the next level since his UWF soccer experience would have been completed last season.

Tyler is still in the Orlando area cooking away and seems to be enjoying it.  Our lives continue to be on the new journey, which we all know is very different than we had planned.  We continue to remember the special person that Mason was and still is to us all, reflecting on the little girl that he leaves in his place to hopefully continue on the journey that he has started.

Teagan has been practicing her walking skills and has several times gone for her "solo" stroll.  She would rather walk holding onto our fingers than without.  She LOVES going outside even if it is just to walk some more.  Teagan's words are the same, Dada, yaya and other sounds that we feel is a sure sign of our next motor mouth.