To Kathy and Jim,
I am so terribly sorry to hear of your heartbreak over your son's approaching birthday. I know there is nothing I can say to make any of you feel better. I must say though that my Nana's birthday the year after she died, my Mum, sisters and I went to dinner together and ended up at Mum's place afterwards talkng about the 'good old days', I found this extremely helpful in dealing with it. FOr me everytime I thought of my Nana, all I could picture was her the second she died in the hospital; but sitting around remembering the old times made me remember her differently. Just a thought, but it may actually help you all as well. But please don't push yourself to do anything you don't feel ready for. You are all in my thoughts and I will be thinking of you on the 5th, as I do most days. Please just try to remember the good times.
Tammy