January 2012

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season!

I spent the holiday at my daughter’s house near Madison. It was a special treat to see how excited my 5 year old granddaughter, Addison, was. When I finally schlepped out of my bedroom at 7:30 AM, she met me at my door wildly telling me that her stocking was “stuffed full” and that “Santa left a LOT of presents under the tree!!!!”

Even though it’s been fifty years since I was her age, I still remember how excited I was on Christmas morning. But, I think I cherish the memories of Christmas when Michelle was a kid even more. It was a time my sisters and I all got together at my parents’ house.

My mom always had a big Christmas dinner. It was the one time each year my mom went all out. So much food! Always a big ham (sometimes a turkey, too,) mashed potatoes, olives (usually a gallon jar,) a shrimp salad and her baked beans that she would hand sort the night before to make sure there were no small stones in the bag! And, SOOOOO many pies!

But, even more fun was to have all the grandkids (and later all the great-grandkids) together!!!! All the anticipation to find out what Santa left at Grandma’s house. Chris Niles sent me an E-Mail a couple days before Christmas and said, “…Christmas thru a child’s eyes is God’s miracle.” How true!!!

But, enough about me… How were your holidays? Feel free to post a comment or send me an E-Mail. How about sending me a couple paragraphs about a memorable holiday you had? Something touching… something funny... maybe something I can post to this blog?

Oh, and if you happened to miss it on the birthday list for December, Aunt Mary Ryan turned 103 on Christmas Day!

Here’s wishing you all a very Happy, Prosperous and Peaceful New Year!!!!

Keep in touch!