Happy New Year

Sedat,
We all miss you so much. Every day, and especially every holiday. This new year 2008 will not be the same without you.  I remember how much you loved the new year's leg of lamb and black eyed peas.  You were always a wonderful house guest, and made your host and hostess feel so happy to have you over, and sorry when you left. 
We miss you and wish you could come home already.
*alisa

Birthdays

It seems that every day that passes we think of Sedat and are reminded of him in myriad ways.  Holidays and milestones are especially hard.  Our trip to DC for Ilayda's 5th birthday was accompanied by the gaping void of Sedat's absence.  Tonight Ilayda and I were working on something for Big Okan's 5th birthday. I told her she's known Big Okan since he was born. She said, "Has he known me since I was born?"
 
"Well, no," I explained, "you were born first."
 
"Oh, well his mom and dad have known me since I was born." She thought a minute and said, "I hope I know Big Okan until he dies." 
 
When we were going to bed, she asked me if I could find a picture of her and Big Okan when they were babies. Of course, I did. I also found this picture of Sedat, Ilayda and Hakan together when she was 10 days old. Don't they all look so young? The proud baba and baba-to-be are so handsome with the little sweet baby princess.