Dad, when Thanksgiving is over and it is time to begin planning and decoration for Christmas I am overwhelmed with memories of you. This time of year (Thanksgiving & Christmas) are the toughest because they seemed to have been your favorite.
This year I was taking down my normal kitchen dishes and replacing them temporarily with my beautiful Christmas dishes that you made sure I had after I got married. I know how important your Christmas dishes were to you , like they were for MaMaw....so this fondness goes back and comes naturally.
I love especially putting up my big bowls that you bought first so we would have plenty of them for the traditional Gumbo! Can you remember how much we looked forward to this? I think I have your recipe but I couldn't dare repeat it. Thank you for bringing the Gumbo over to my house when I couldn't travel to your house.
I also ran across a picture of Greg and I in front of the tree at your house. We were skinny and your home was decorated so tastefully and beautifully. I know you were proud of your home when you had occasions to show it off.
Since you passed away the day after Christmas, also Craig's 4th birthday, I have to reach deep to find good memories of this time of year but they are there and they are strong because of your traditions, your efforts to get us together, and your attention to family.
I love you...Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
A Quick Visit with Aunt Beverly
Just in case you didn't already know, I had a wonderful visit with Aunt Beverly just before the end of this year. On the way to Ruidoso we stopped off in Midland and visited with her, Debbie and Morgan.
I've got to tell you that even though Aunt Bev just celebrated her 70th birthday, she was absolutely stunning and such a delight. I can see why she has so many friends. She just has a way of making you feel comfortable and right at home. The only hint of her aging was the soft voice that seems to sound more like MaMaw did. It was a soothing and comforting voice to here then and now.
Speaking of her home, it is the most adorable, well designed place. and it was perfectly decorated for Christmas. She has a beautiful black grand piano greeating you as you walk in the door. Her living room also held a beautiful elegent white Christmas tree. Then a very comfortable setting of couches, chairs and love seats.
I can tell Aunt Bev is one of the coolest grandmas ever. (Actually, my mom is doing a great job too). Morgan seems to adore Aunt Beverly and it sounds like Chandler and Sam do to.
We were a little sad as we talked about not staying in touch with everyone like you would have wanted. But I promise it hasn't diminished our love our respect for each other or others in our family. We were also a little sad when we talked about visit the cemetery where PawPaw and MawMaw are buried. Neither one of us, Aunt Bev or I, are very good at that like you were. I hope you understand we prefer to think of you as you were.
We ended the evening not make promises to stay in touch but promises to think of one another often and hope for health and happiness always. I know I won't be in Midland anytime soon and her trips to Houston are now few and far between so we will be content with an email here and there and hopefully more birthday cards!
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