Amazing Grace

I've been thinking about my mom a lot lately. She passed in July of 1995 on my Dad's birthday. He said she picked that day so he would never forget.

"Amazing Grace" was her favorite hymn. We were in the waiting room of the hospital and the song suddenly began playing on the television. My brother said, "We're coming , Mom." and, when we got to her room, the nurses were removing her breathing tubes. She was gone.

I love you, Mom.

Reconnecting

Isn't life funny? I've been thinking a lot lately about family and friends that I haven't been in touch with for a long time.

I joined classmates.com not long ago. More out of curiosity than anything. Shortly after, I received an email from Jim. He and his family had lived next door to us for years when I was younger. He was a few years older than me and was really one of the last people I expected to hear from. Nice surprise there. He sounds as if he's doing well.

Then I was on MySpace and discovered an old friend from when I lived in Ohio. Rob was my manager at my job at Rite Aid and a real friend in every sense of the word. He helped me through a rough patch in my life and I will never forget him.

Then, yesterday, I got another email from Classmates. My sister, Tracy, had joined and had sent me her email address. I have been thinking a lot about her in particular lately. We have been out of touch for such a long time. I have missed her. I will not lose touch with her again.

So, this has been my week for reconnections. People who are VERY important to me and old friends from the past. Sometimes I feel like a forgotten person. I have been reminded that I'm not.

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas is almost here! What more perfect time to begin a new blog? The house is decorated....Christmas lights sparkle on the tree.....snow is glistening on the ground. I'll be doing a lot of baking in the next few days and still have a few more presents to get, but, for the most part, I am ready for the holiday.

I often dream of a traditional, family Christmas, but have pretty much given up on that notion. My Dear Earl is a wonderful man, but was brought up in large part by his grandparents who were Jehovah's Witnesses. Thusly, while he himself does not follow that religion (nor really any other), he could take Christmas or leave it, though he is very good about my insistence that we celebrate. My children are all grown and have families of their own (save one still at home) so, while we get together at some point, it isn't quite the same. And, my siblings and my father, while we have nothing against one another, are not overly close. Before my mother passed, family was all encompassing. My father has since remarried and no one is particularly fond of the second wife, which I think plays a huge part in our not getting together like we used to. Sad, but life goes on. Just not the way we may once have imagined it would be.

So, maybe I won't have the huge house full of family the way it was when I was growing up, but I have created Christmas to please myself and that makes me content. I bake and shop and enjoy the beautiful Christmas service at church. I watch all my favorite Christmas movies and tv shows and listen to my favorite Christmas music. Earl will tuck a warm comfy throw around me while I am watching my movies and listening to the carols and he will bring me a cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream.....just the way I like it.

And, come Christmas morning, there will be presents and our traditional breakfast casserole. And later we will have a yummy dinner and lots of fresh baked cookies and I will be thankful for all the blessings that are in my life. Earl, my children, a nice home...... All in all, life has been good to me.

So my friends, here's hoping you have a very Merry Christmas.

~Nan