The past couple of weeks, while they should be exciting for multiple reasons, they have been somber, trying, and exciting. Everyone enjoys the holidays, especially as their children get older or as they watch their child truly discover the holiday spirit around them.  From decorating the house, seeing Christmas lights, to learning that pulling every ornament or decoration within reach from the Christmas tree is not acceptable by Mom.  The holidays are among us and I cannot help feel excited in celebrating the holidays with my family along with some very much needed time away from work.  Let’s hear it for vacation…  Woohoo! We also just found out that we are expecting our third child. All the excitement has diminished significantly in that my sister, 32 weeks pregnant, lost her baby, precious Olivia. While I can only feel a small amount of her pain, I can only imagine what she has been through and continues to go through.  She is dealing with a pain far beyond anyone’s imagination, unless they have personally experienced it. My sister called me at work that somber morning.  I literally sobbed with her on the phone. How devastating! Losing a child!  I have not shared my pregnancy with anyone except, of course, my husband and cannot even imagine a time when I will feel it would be appropriate to share. I can’t imagine one truly ever heals from a loss—especially the loss of your own child. In a time like this, I want to tell my sister, so we can rejoice in my excitement; however, I cannot bring myself to do so.  I know that while she will share in my excitement, silently she will feel the pain and loss of her own sweet baby girl! I cannot bring myself to see the pain in her eyes.  So I wait… I would love to hear others feedback on their own loss or someone they know that has endured such a tragic loss.