Dear Dad,

It's your birthday again, #58, the 11th one you've spent in Heaven.  We still miss you like crazy, especially on days like this when we know we would have been with you if you were still here.  We would have wrapped up a box of cherry cordials (I never really liked them, but ate them anyway, cause you liked them so much) and bought you a card telling you how great you were (and we would have really meant it).  Instead, we just fill our heads with lots of memories and wish you were here.

Dolly and I went and bought each other matching bracelets for your birthday.  With cowboy boot charms, because, until you were sick, that's all you ever wore.

And on the way home, we saw that once again, the star was lit up for the season on your birthday.

We stopped and visited the cemetery.  Dolly and Chief put up a little Christmas tree on Sunday.  She picked up the ornaments that had blown off and put them back on the tree.  There were footsteps in the snow from others who visited you there today.

This time of year is always the hardest.  Whenever we get together as a family, there is a big gap because you are missing.  I continue to be thankful that I have the hope that we'll see you again in Heaven someday!  Love you.