I wasn’t  going to write a post today because it’s Christmas Eve and I wanted to be really present with my family and especially with my kids.

But something happened tonight and I just wanted to share it.

The kids were getting a little rambunctious and so I took Number 5 and Number 7 down the road to this open space that has walking trails on it.

I love going for walks here because it’s so beautiful, and when I’m feeling especially blue, this place makes me feel connected.

I’m not sure what it is I feel connected to, but I feel a connection to something when I am there, and I don’t feel so alone.

I love the holidays, but the anniversary of my baby brother’s death was just eight days ago, and the anniversary of my grandmother’s death was just a couple days ago.

She died three years ago and I really miss her, but I especially miss her at Christmas.

And I’ve been going through a real low recently, and thinking about the two of them, and wondering if they are out there or up there or anywhere.

So anyway, I was walking with the girls, and I pretty much always have to take a picture when I go to this particular place because there is always something on the horizon or in the background that looks really pretty.

Plus the kids looked so cute in their hats.

So I had Number 5 and 7 stand with these two trees in the background because I like the way they looked, especially with the stripes of color on the horizon.

And after I snapped the picture and looked at it, I noticed there was this glow around each of the trees.

It was not there in the real life, but it showed up in the photo.

Like two halos.

Huh.

We continued walking.

And as the sun started to really set, we headed back in the direction of the car.

There were two other cars in the parking lot when we arrived. As we headed back they were both gone.

There was nobody else around.

And then, out of nowhere, a man and his dog appeared.

Number 7 asked if she could go pet the dog. I told her it was fine, and she ran over the dog and her owner.

She reached out her hand, and the owner of the dog said to her,

“Her name is Angel.”

Now I know why I feel connected when I go to this place.

And now, I no longer wonder.

The people you have lost? They are out there. And they are with you.

I am sure of it.

Merry Christmas, Everyone.