Merry Christmas from Mom and Dad.

As this beautiful season comes around once again, our hearts are full .. Full of love, gratitude, memories, and hope. Christmas has a way of slowing time just enough to let us reflect on what truly matters, and for us, it is and has always been family.

Each of you is a gift to us .. One that began the moment you entered our lives. We remember the excitement, the sleepless nights, the laughter, poopy diapers, the worries, and the prayers that came with raising you. We watched you grow through childhood, weather the storms of adolescence, and step into adulthood as strong and most capable individuals. To see how hard all of you work since you have grown and raising families of your own. This journey with you has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives.

We have known joy and we have known sorrow. We carry in our hearts the memory of the two precious children we lost, especially during this season. Anita and Jimmy are never far from our thoughts. We think of them every day. Love doesn’t end since they have gone. From time to time, we feel their presence with us still and we know they are not far from us and we will be with them again.

Seeing the families you’ve built fills us with pride beyond words. Your children—and now grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren—are living proof that goodness continues. You’ve passed on values of faith, honesty, hard work, love of country, and respect for others. Watching all of you grow across generations has always been one of our greatest rewards and will be.

We are especially grateful for the way you stand for what is right, for the way you love one another, and for the way you raise your children with the same values you have. Seeing our US flags flown proudly reminds us that freedom, family, and faith still matters and our Gaskell legacy lives on through you.

As parents, and now great-great-grandparents, we can say this with certainty: you are among our greatest blessings. You have brought purpose to our lives and meaning to every season we’ve lived through. Each of you has made our journey richer simply by being who you are.

This Christmas, we hope you feel a peace in your hearts towards one another no matter where you are. You must always remember that you are deeply loved by us, always prayed for every day. We will always love you no matter what happens in our lives. Yes, you have been worth the time bringing you into this life and helping you along the way. You will always be our children and that will never change. Please, always love one another. There will be blips along the way but remember who you are and how you have been raised. Remember all the positive times. The negative will disappear as it does, always.