Hey, Wranglers, tomorrow is Christmas Eve and although I'm writing this on December 19, I'm fairly confident I'll be baking rolls and cookies with Son and Grandboy today. We're flying west to spend the holidays with our kids and I couldn't be more excited or more pleased. I need my kids. It's really just that simple. I have about a three-month limit on how long I can go without spending face time with my Son and I confess, it's way less than that for time cuddling Grandboy.
This year, it's even more vital that I see my kids, that I absorb their love and youth and vitality. You see, it's been a tough fall for me. I lost a close friend, two other dear friends are suffering from cancer, and my precious older sister, Kate, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer in November, just came home on hospice yesterday. You might say I've been sucker-punched by cancer.
Not a happy topic for a Christmas week blog, is it? Sorry about that. But there is light. There's always light. I have so many sweet, sweet memories with my sister--with both my sisters. We've shared lives full of love and fun and family stuff that is ours alone. One of the best is that I come from a family of voracious readers. Until we were all well into our teens, Mom read to us constantly--all the books she loved as a child.
**Today, I'm taking Manny and Company--a Christmas story Mom read to us every December 24--over to read to Kate before I leave for Son's house. And I'm taking it with me when I fly west so I can read it to Grandboy. Maybe we'll start a new (yet old) Christmas Eve tradition with him in honor of his Great-Aunt Kate.
Merry Christmas, Wranglers, and may your new year, and my new year, be filled with joy and peace and wonderful new adventures.
**My precious sister died on Friday, December 19, 2014. I was on the way to read to her when we got the call. So now, Grandboy and I will read Manny and Company in memory of his Great-Aunt Kate, and I will tell him all about her beautiful smile and big heart.
This year, it's even more vital that I see my kids, that I absorb their love and youth and vitality. You see, it's been a tough fall for me. I lost a close friend, two other dear friends are suffering from cancer, and my precious older sister, Kate, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer in November, just came home on hospice yesterday. You might say I've been sucker-punched by cancer.
Not a happy topic for a Christmas week blog, is it? Sorry about that. But there is light. There's always light. I have so many sweet, sweet memories with my sister--with both my sisters. We've shared lives full of love and fun and family stuff that is ours alone. One of the best is that I come from a family of voracious readers. Until we were all well into our teens, Mom read to us constantly--all the books she loved as a child.
Merry Christmas, Wranglers, and may your new year, and my new year, be filled with joy and peace and wonderful new adventures.
**My precious sister died on Friday, December 19, 2014. I was on the way to read to her when we got the call. So now, Grandboy and I will read Manny and Company in memory of his Great-Aunt Kate, and I will tell him all about her beautiful smile and big heart.
A bittersweet holiday, I know. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mon Chere Amie! Merry Christmas!
DeleteBeautiful message, Nan. I'm so sorry it had to come from such a painful place. Absorb the love around you to soothe your soul. Enjoy your time out in my neck of the woods--well, at least closer than you are usually :)
ReplyDeleteBest thoughts and prayers go with you. Fly safely and have a Merry Christmas.
Thank you, Margie! Wish you were closer to San Francisco so we could go to lunch and get to know each other better! Merry Christmas to you!
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss, Nan...sending my thoughts and prayers, too.
ReplyDeleteBless you, Kristi! Have a wonderful holiday with your sweet family!
DeleteBlessings my friend. This is such a hard time of the year to lose a loved one. I hope you find some healing in fond memories of the life you shared with your sister. I know she would want you to remember with a light heart. Sisters do. The tradition of reading a story your mother loved and read to both of you, to your grandson, is wonderful. Enjoy your time with your family and Merry Christmas to all.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDelete