Dear Santa

I asked Jake the other day if he wanted us to put up a Christmas tree.  He said no.
I asked him why not, and he shrugged his shoulders.
I asked him if it was because of his sister, and he looked away.  Yes, of course it is.
A couple days later, I asked him what the hardest part of the holidays is for him since losing Cory.  He said Christmas morning.

A lot of times Jacob won't say anything about how he's hurting or what he's thinking.  And sometimes he doesn't have to.  It's as plain as all those empty spaces in our house...invisible minefields, every single one.

Dear Santa,

For Christmas, I want to move away from the scene.  I've had enough of the road.  Maybe Jacob has, too.

Sincerely,
Nicole