Dear Tyler,

Hi pumpkin! How are you doing on this Tuesday afternoon? Mom has had a pretty off afternoon. My morning was pretty good but then I logged into social media and saw something that I never thought that I would see, well at least now. A friend of mine posted an obituary of a mutual friend of ours. His name was Travis and he was Mom's age. We went to school together, did the Relay together and we spoke often. He suddenly passed away on December 5th....tomorrow will be a week. His services will be held on Saturday and in the summer will be a burial. Mom is heartbroken of this news. He was always such a sweet guy. Happy go lucky and loved the outdoors. Mom doesn't know what happened or what led up to it but he committed suicide. It is just not something that I thought he would ever do. He leaves behind a son and daughter plus so many family members and friends. He will be surely missed by many and I hope he now knows just how much he was loved. I hope that whatever made him take his own life, he is at peace now. R.I.P. my sweet friend. I will sure miss you. Fly high and free now and watch over us all. 
 Last night was rough for Mom. I don't know what it was but I did not feel good at all. I think it was either I ate too much or it was what I ate. I was sick for about 2 hours and then I was just really tired the rest of the night. I went to bed at 11 pm and slept pretty good. I got some solid sleep that I needed and I am hoping for more tonight. Today I feel better. I didn't want to over do it so I have been drinking a lot of water and not eating so much. Mom will be fine. Tonight will be a night where I will just relax and watch tv. I plan on going to bed early so that I can get up early as the maintenance guy will be here sometime during the morning or afternoon to fix the issues that we are having. Mom wants to be up and ready by 8 am. That way if he comes in the morning everything will be all set. His work day starts at 9 am. Mom spoke to Grandpa briefly yesterday afternoon and I was suppose to call him last night but with the way I felt I didn't. I will call him either tonight or tomorrow night. I did talk to Meme this afternoon on her break. I told her about Travis. She knew him as well. They worked together for a few years. She was just as shocked as I was. I told her that I would call her tomorrow night to chat. She was wanting to know when we were coming there for Christmas and I said that Mark and I were still talking about it. I looked at the weather and it says that where we are it is suppose to rain a lot and then on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we will get some snow...maybe a couple of inches but in NH it is suppose to snow from the 22nd right through to the 26th. The most will be on Christmas day with it being 3-5" of snow. Last year was the same way but it snowed a lot more than that. We stayed at the hotel but this year we are staying with Meme and Bob to save money as it is super expensive to be at the hotel that we stay at every year. They want almost 300.00 per night and that doesn't include the dog fee. It is ridiculous. Mom will be watching the weather closely in the next 2 weeks. We still have not come up with a solution for the wedding of his niece in Kentucky yet either. Mom wants to go but it looks like I won't be a part of it because of money and the pups. It will be to time consuming to drive there and back and too expensive to fly us both and the pups. It is a no win situation. The only way the problem will be solved is if there is a snow storm and none us us can go. Mom isn't wishing for that just yet. I will keep you posted as to what the plans are. 
 It is already 4:34 pm and it is completely dark outside. The sun has set and the night sky is upon us. Mom needs to be getting off this computer so that I can get the pups fed and dinner going. Days are so short right now and the nights are long but relaxing. Mom does enjoy that. I sure hope that you get to have fun and enjoy your night while I get some sleep. The candle has been lit all day for you and Mom will be sure to whisper to you as I do every night. Smile for me my sweet precious son. I miss you more than words and I love you to the moon and back and all the way around the world. You will forever be my hero and the wind beneath my wings. Always you will be inside my heart, mind, body and soul. 
 Mom will be back tomorrow with another letter to you in the morning so that I have all day to study. I should be finishing up my first exam in my new class which is great! I love you with all my heart and soul. Until tomorrow comes....good night and sweet dreams.
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!

Here is the prayer for the day:

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing. Psalm 16:1–2, NIV

Dear Father in heaven, look on us as your children, and grant that we may feel in you the highest good for time and eternity. Even if we have to deny ourselves and make great sacrifices, you remain our treasure, our riches, our love, and our joy. Give us strength as a gathered people ready to serve you. Grant us your Spirit whenever we do not understand what we should do. Shelter us always in your hands, and allow us to see your miracles in souls and in bodies. For you are our God, the Almighty, and you find the way to help in everything. Amen.