Wow, my screen just got blurry - thank you for sharing this account of a loving father and husband. I was blessed with wonderful parents too - lost Dad just after Christmas, in January 2008, and spent Christmas 2007 and the New Year with him in the intensive care unit. The love of his life, our Mom, had gone before him just 15 months earlier.
Your decision to celebrate Christmas is understood - as you said, it is about the One who came, God with us, to give us real hope and joy. I Thessalonians 4:13 - we grieve, but not in the same way as those who have no hope.
You will be in my prayers. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you. God bless and Merry Christmas to you and your family.