I am with you, glad it is over.. although it sounds like you have a tough week coming up with birthdays... all those firsts are so so hard and there is no way around it.... glad you got to see your dad, I'm sure he was grateful to spend time with you...
Every year seems to be different.. Christopher has been gone three years, but this was our fourth Christmas without him... the first was a blur of shock and silence.. the second my brother just couldn't do... last year we started new traditions of putting notes and memories in Chris' stocking (to be pulled out and read this year and add more).. and our candle lighting ceremony, which Brian (my bro, Chris' dad) liked very much so we did that again this year... it helps to have traditions that include Chris and allows us to talk about him more....
luv and hugs, Karen
proud aunt of Christopher