MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS PAST

In the year of our Lord 2013, I was thinking today as we were driving into Cedar Rapids about my childhood memories of Christmas.  

Thinking as far back as I can remember, my sister Sharon and I would try to open our Christmas presents very carefully as not to disturb the tape.  Many Christmases we already knew what we were getting.
We were not rich people by any means; but Mom and Dad always tried to make Christmas special for us.  I can remember all the Christmas baking mom used to do and we always helped.

Have you ever tried pulling taffy - by hand?

Some of the presents that I can remember were cross country skis and a necklace watch.  Of course, there was always the big Christmas meals down the road at Grandpa and Grandma Fitzpatrick's with the "very, very special" Irish plum pudding (which there are NO plums in it, lol)

One other thing I remember is Dad would always get Mom a Christmas gift to surprise her even when they had very little money.  He did that up to the year before he passed away. Usually it was jewelry. 
  
When they say Christmas is for children - it is in a way.  I'm   saying,  Christmas is for family's.  I have fond memories of Christmas as a child growing up but also wonderful memories raising our children.  Memories with our children would include trying to get that certain gift they wanted; taking them to Santa for a bag of goodies at the Fire Hall; school Christmas programs; Sunday School programs ; for a country sleigh ride; to a special movie; building snow igloos; snow ball fights; hitching the dogs up to the toboggan; and Christmas sugar cookie decorating to just name a few. 

Now that they each have their own children; they are forming unique family memories .  At this time of year I long for my parents and I long for my children.  I wish, well you know what I wish.  By the way, it's snowing outside, Merry Christmas.

MIRACLES

  Miracles surround us ...

There are those that

We stand in awe of,

You know the kind

The ones that stop you

In your tracks

Jaw-dropping ooh ahhh

Type miracles

And then there are those

Little miracles that

Sneak up on you

Like the fog rolling in

Miracles that surround us

And are there every day

Like our baby's smile

Or when a stranger

Does a kindness that

You didn't see coming

Or when you pull your mind

Away from the chaos long enough

To notice the light shining

Through the branches

Of the big tree

In your own

Back yard

Or the fact

That you're

Alive ...

~ Traveler

— with Mackie Eeds.

REMEMBER WHEN

  

     Remember when we were young and in love?  What a life we had.  I could have never imagined in my wildest dreams where we were then and where we have come to this point. 1-17-2013

     I want to write all my memories down but sometimes they seem so vast and unimportant.  You know we come into this world alone - we really walk through this world alone, even with a life partner - we have our "own" memories - our own regrets - and we die alone. 

     I never thought that memories could hurt so bad.  Why should they?  But they do.  I guess, for me, it's thinking of all those wonderful memories that grieves my heart so ever badly - that it "hurts".   Memories should be wonderful and happy.  They were - but they make me sad in the pit of my stomach. 

     That sounds strange but the older I get and as time flies by faster and faster; will I be missed.  Will my children have wonderful memories of us and how we raised them?  Will they continue the values we starved to teach them and carry onto our grandchildren? That is really all that matters to me, in the end. 

    Will they.....remember when?