Tis the season of Christmas…it has always stirred emotions in me. Not just for the religious joy it brings, but also for family traditions, memories, anticipations, sadness, and pride; they all swell from my withins and give a unique reflection on Christmas each year.  It was some 12 years ago – December 14, 1997 – when this family lost a daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend – Mom was all one in the same person, our life-long Santa Claus that brought joy to us all. Christmas will forever be her time in my heart.

Without permission, I boldly speak for my family in saying we have learned to cope, heal, and continue our lives over those 12 years. Our loss was made even more difficult in knowing Christmas time was an incredibly special time with our family. We’ve had our share of sadness as we have also reaped blessings of joy since her death. Many times we don’t realize either of those emotions until they confront us, with all the bluntness and suddenness a life changing event can muster. When that happens, we have learned to celebrate a life shared, a life lived, a life blessed, a life remembered.

This Christmas brings yet another unique reflection. It is a reflection on an extended family that became one of ours this past summer. Halley’s Camps of Ontario Canada was host to a milestone birthday celebration for my father. Dad, OFB TR, and I spent nearly a week in the hospitality of the Halley’s doing nothing but walleye fishing, comfort food eating, cabin sleeping, photographing memories, and thoroughly enjoying a simple time together with family and new friends. This past week, I received news from a friend that George Halley had died suddenly of a heart attack. He was doing what he had done his whole life in experiencing life at Halley’s Camps when this happened. As his family mourns, join them in the coping, healing, and continuing process by celebrating a life shared, a life lived, a life blessed, and of course a life remembered.

As I mail a card to the Halley family on the behalf of the May family, my emotions are once again stirred with a remembrance of a time saddened by loss. To his wife Sharon, his family, and all those that knew George, I write:

It is with tremendous sadness today I learn of George’s death. His life was one I knew ever so briefly from this past summer. Our “deck” acquaintance quickly translated to knowing his was a life devoted to family, the outdoors, and to the enjoyment of life’s blessings with all his friends both old and new.

Please know my father (Bob) and brother (Terry “TR”) join me in expressing our heartfelt sympathies to the entire Halley family, and to those friends that mourn with you during this time of celebration to remember a great man passed. 

I wish a Merry Christmas for all this year. I ask we keep the Halley’s close in our thoughts during this, a time of another new and unique Christmas season reflection. Let us all celebrate life and embrace the reflection, regardless of its heaviness, with what the season brings to each of our hearts.

So long George. May your rest be peaceful and your family cherish the memories of your love, laughter, and life.