More Christmas Spirit: (random memories)
Christmas Carols on YouTube — my wonderful mother loved Christmas carols, singing, cooking, and joining Aunt Polly and Grandma Crall in Michigan. Wonderful times. Mom loved Christmas … Dad, not so much. But family was always together. Since the world has changed, I haven’t seen a holiday with family since Wendy’s 70th birthday party this summer, great seeing Wendy and Bill, Rob and Debbie, Jane and John, and many children, grand children, etc. All came to Ludington see Wendy get older….not like the rest of us:)
Sofia is cooking. Did I mention that? Sofia’s often cooking, she does it very well. As does all of her family. But she boasts something none of the sisters boast…slave labor. She’s good about not letting anyone in the neighborhood hear any whips or screams, but she’s good at directing the slave (me) to wash dishes, peel carrots, chop onions and garlic, etc. But she does allow me a little wine:) And we’re joking, having fun, and she allows me my memories and shares hers.
The time zones often get us here. There are so many we want to wish a Merry Christmas to, Norm and Val, Linda and Dan, Jolie and Gino, Gig and Sally Ann, Wendy, Rob, and Janie and their wonderful families, but by the time they are all awake, Sofia is knee-deep in cooking in both ovens and Rick is beaten into submission and the second bottle of red wine. Consequently, things on the island are OBE. (Oversome By Events)! For example, the neighbor is out on his tractor on Christmas Eve spraying manure-scented fertilizer on the fields while we are listening to Johhny Mathis, Nat King Cole, and Mariah Carey. Interesting juxtapostion, to say the least. But again, I have a cold and a bottle of wine, and my instructions include work; we have a lot to do.
Christmas carols, Bob Hope Special reruns, and Facebook posts remind me of many past Chritmases, great friends and joyous times with folks who are not with us, friends alone this year, and spirits of lonliness, illness, and those who must work through difficult times and emotions. Please remember I am thinking of you, Chris, Molly, and many others. I wish I could help, but I know you have memories, painful and pleasant, and you are forced to adjust to a world different from what you expected. I, too, have had to, and I can only hope and pray for your strength.
So if I don’t get around to calling, sending, or wishing a Merry Christmas to all, please understand and have a wonderufl Holiday season. No matter what the new year brings, it will always bring thoughts of all our friends and families who we love and cherish, even though we’re not there to hug you all!