Amazing to Me!

I can't begin to express just how grateful I am for the love in my life. The love of my children, my sisters, my mother and my friends is a love I cherish and will cherish for the rest of my days. As they know, or as I hope they know, I love them each with everything in me. I love all of you more than I could ever say...of this I am certain.

But today, as I contemplate where I am and who I am, I can't help but reflect on where I was and who I was, five years ago. The change is incredible! Life then was as different then from today, as night is to day.

Today, all I can say is, thank God and thank you! I thank all of you who loved me though the hard times and I pray that your lives are as full of love as mine is today.

For me, the Lord has brought into my life a man who has the capacity to love deeper than any man I have ever known. The devotion and absolute love he shows me is bounded in respect which he so freely extends to my precious children, and for this I am, and will forever be eternally grateful. Because of his love I am able to experience more joy and contentment than I ever thought possible. Because of your love "we" are able to celebrate the power of that love next Sunday when we exchange our vows of marriage.

Stay tuned for pictures of our wonderful day!

Happy Holiday's

LIGHT YOUR DARKNESS
GRIEF THROUGH THE HOLIDAY’S
Michele E. Fiorelli


Again it’s that time of year! Halloween has passed, Thanksgiving is upon us, and Christmas is just a few short weeks behind. You may find everyone around you busy shopping, baking and anxiously preparing for the upcoming holiday season.
How wonderful for them!! That is what the holiday season should be. It should be festive, anticipated, and full of holiday gatherings that are steeped in years of family traditions topped with presents and gorgeous holiday trimmings and lights galore.
To those of you who are anxiously anticipating the hustle and bustle I say, “God bless you & may your season be safe & wonderful, my thoughts and prayers are with you!”
On the other hand, many of you will be approaching this holiday season with apprehension, dread, dismay and sadness. The light in your life no longer shines. Your happiness has been snuffed out, and you’re wishing that the holiday would pass you by without notice.
You’re quite possibly lacking the energy and desire to shop. Baking will no doubt be a chore. The thought of the family gathering is more than you can bear, and you are certain the excitement and holiday cheer of everyone else will only magnify the sadness and longing you are already feeling.
It is for certain that with the return of the holidays we will welcome back all of the expectations and disappointments that typically characterize the season with its contradictory emotions. The weeks ahead will be exciting yet exhausting. The anticipation is invigorating yet grueling. The visits with family and friends will be joyous yet difficult. Add the element of grief to the mix and you have the recipe for a holiday season that is overwhelming and daunting.
For many the preparation is huge and welcomed, and for some the season may be great, but what follows is an even greater letdown when you wake up the morning after to a heap of crumpled wrapping paper, leftovers upon leftovers, plates of half eaten cookies and hours of standing in line waiting to exchange the “not so perfect gift,” amongst those who are no longer filled with holiday cheer and good will to others.
For those of you who have experienced the loss of a loved one this year, your season will more than likely be shrouded in sadness making the yoke of being “jolly” a little more wearisome. Life without your loved one is hard enough! Life without your loved one during the holidays is unthinkable!!!
Facing the holidays with the burden of grief is never easy, but I am here to tell you that the light in your season can and should still shine.
For years you have celebrated in family traditions and holiday rituals gathered around the table and tree with family and friends. That shouldn’t change just because your loved one is not here to celebrate with you. Holiday traditions don’t need to end because there is one less person to share in the festivities. The absence of your loved one’s presence doesn’t have to darken your entire season. Remember, your loved one brought a great deal of light and love into your life for many years. Their memories should be celebrated along with the season.
When a loved one passes they don’t take “their” memories with them. They leave them with you, so use them, celebrate them, share them and cherish them. They may no longer be physically present in your life, but the gift they gave to you in their passing is a gift of beautiful memories that will last you a lifetime.
Their memory doesn’t end with their passing; you can cherish and celebrate their memories forever. So let their light continue to shine! What better time to express and experience their love. Don’t just endure the holidays, allow yourself to enjoy the holiday if only in small quantities. Your loved ones would want you to!!!
After all, the reality of feeling emotions is all about letting yourself feel impassioned. And I know that you are impassioned about your loved one. I’ve heard the stories and witnessed the tears as you struggled to let go at their services. It’s ok to let that passion continue to shine. It’s ok to celebrate their memories because they would want you to be impassioned about the season and the blessings you shared while they were in your life. Let the songs on the radio fill you with holiday cheer; focus on the joy. Cherish the memories…not the losses, share your memories, laugh and rejoice in their love, it’s alright!!!
Give to yourself the gift of happiness; it is essential to coping during the holidays. I know that what you do this year will be very different from the previous years. That’s ok; I know it won’t be easy, losing a loved one never is! So allow the light of your memories to illuminate your darkness, and find the magic that will express your gratitude for the relationship you had with that special someone. If nothing else, give the gift of happiness to yourself and those around you, you deserve it!!!!

Happy Holidays To You & Yours…
Believe In the Magic of Memories & Always Give the Gift of Light & Happiness,
Michele E. Fiorelli

A Visit With The Tiger!!

We had a great week!!! With most of the time off from work, Jessica, Zach, David the Tiger and I were able to relax and enjoy the time visiting by the pool. By our clocks, it was always 5 o'clock here, so we indulged in every sense of the word.

On one of our excursions into Savannah, we took a trolley ride and toured the cities beautiful historical places. Taylor love the trolley ride and participated happily in everything we did. When the tour was over, we tried to get in at Paula Deans for an early dinner. She was booked up and so was Mrs. Wilkes so we strolled down to the "Mellow Mushroom" where we had pizza and beer!!! The pizza was great!!! The company was even better and I need not go into how enjoyable the time with Taylor was.

Wednesday and Thursday Jess and Zach went up to Charleston, SC so Papa and I spent our time experiencing life from a 20 month old's perspective. Wow...could he keep us busy. We went to the Nature Reserve to see the alligators, birds and fish, checked out the excavators in the area (a past time of the Tigers) and headed home to do chalk art on the driveway and blow some bubbles. We swam, went for walks, and truly enjoyed the time we had alone with him.

Friday flew by... and before we knew it they were packing up the car to head home Saturday morning. We had an awesome visit so needless to say, Nana is anxiously awaiting the next time they visit!

Here are some photo's of the week we had! I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed the time I spent taking them!

She Did It!

We just returned home from Rochester, NY and I'm proud to say that Aimee is officially official! Officer Aimee M. Margocs, Badge #424 is ready to report for duty! You are simply amazing my daughter!!! Thanks Gary Robert for being a part of her big day.

Anthony & Lindsay's Visit

Well, my November was great!!! How about yours???? This week Anthony & Lindsay spent an extended weekend with David and I and we had a wonderful time celebrating Anthony's birthday, Christmas and just being together. We spent a day in town on River Street where we ate at Tubby's Tank House, binged on sweets from the Savannah Candy Store and just plain enjoyed walking around while Santa Clause made his holiday debut on the River Boat Queen.

The time went by so quickly...I only wish I could suspend time when they come to visit. They are getting older by the minute, and time seems to slip away so quickly when they are in Savannah visiting. Well, until next time kids...I love you tons!!!!

ME AND MY GANG

There aren't many times when we can all be together anymore!!! With everyone growing up and living their own lives it takes a special occasion for all of us to coordinate our schedules to come together. That is why it was such a joyous occasion when Taylor turned "1" . Not only did we have the opportunity to get together for the weekend, we had an opportunity to celebrate sisters, birthday's, weddings and more! Thanks everyone for all the fun and memories!!!!

Nothing Short Of A Miracle

Well watching Andrew grown up and celebrate his 21st birthday has been nothing short of amazing. I can't believe it!!! My baby has grown up and is well on his way to becoming the man I always had hoped he would be.

Tall, handsome and looking just like his Papa Fiorelli, I struggle to fight back the tears that well up in my eyes as I am overcome by the crude memories of nursing him through his heroic four-year battle with leukemia. For years Andrew's cancer absconded the joy from my life and cast its shadow over the carefree happiness I as his mother felt at this joyous birth.

For years I walked a fine line between illness and wellness with you my dear son. For years I prayed over every breath you took and cautiously dared to dream about you growing up and experiencing everything in life I knew you deserved.

I am overjoyed and humbled as I share this special day with you. I can't help but drop to my knees and thank God for the mercy and grace he bestowed on us through out your life. Every day I have with you is truly a gift, a deliciously, spectacular experience that makes me happier than words could ever express.

Happy Birthday, May God Bless You & Keep You Forever In His Care!!!!!!!

All My Love, Mom