I have been thinking of past Christmases. I think that is part of the beauty of holidays...the remembrances of both good and bad ones from the past. I am very fortunate in that I have not really had any bad Christmases, but definitely some have been more carefree than others. I want to remember both. I want to be aware when others might be experiencing a difficult holiday. Perhaps, I can speak a word of joy or encouragement into their season. I can definitely pray for them.
My thoughts carry me to those who are no longer part of our physical celebration of Christmas, like Daddy, and those who have been part of our tradition for a relatively brief time, like Sheri. I love these 2 pictures. Daddy and Sheri never met. I think they would have really liked each other. They would have appreciated each other's sense of the ridiculous. I look at these two pictures, and my heart is filled with love for these 2 people, and for Mr. Lincoln who painted those dark walls a beautiful shade of white when I was off in Florida with my M&M's. Trust me, the room is much more cheerful now. MP says we live in The Cat in the Hat house.
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And, now with 2 babies on the way, my mind goes to future holidays. I do not know what my children will choose to tell their children about Santa Claus. It may be very different from what Mr. Lincoln and I did with our two. That is okay. I will honor whatever they choose to do. When I ran across this picture of MP, it dawned on me that next Christmas she will be caring for her very own real baby. Perhaps, time spent with her dolls helped her prepare for that. Probably her days as a nanny and a pediatric nurse will do more, but maybe, a Christmas gift of a baby doll was the beginning of her mothering instincts.  Sometimes, Mr. Lincoln and I gave gifts that might have been a bit too practical. I mean, serioiusly, how many teen age boys want a toilet as a Christmas present? Not many, and probably not this one, but we figured he needed a new toilet in his bathroom, and it was Christmas, so why not? Now that I look back on it, I can think of a lot of why nots. But, in typical Marshall fashion, he expressed his gratitude for such a "thoughtful" gift, and posed in his usual interesting fashion for the Christmas pictures. Well, a strange array of random ramblings. What I haven't included is the incredible frustration I have had with posting this blog. Pictures just go wherever they want. Type does its own thing, so this post may prove to be more frustrating than enjoyable for you as well. If that is the case, I am sorry about that. So for today, I wish you sweet memories of Christmases past, hope for bright holidays ahead and I wish you blessings |
When someone dies too young, it is difficult at times to
contemplate the hole left at family gatherings. That is the case with my brother, Charlie. So, memories of our times with him sustain us at the times we become somewhat overwhelmed by his absence.
contemplate the hole left at family gatherings. That is the case with my brother, Charlie. So, memories of our times with him sustain us at the times we become somewhat overwhelmed by his absence.
I love traditions. A favorite of mine from my childhood was every year in my stocking I received bubble bath with soap in the shape of a woman's head. Every year. We did not have a fireplace so our stockings hung on our bedroom door knobs. I would awaken and in the gloom before sunrise, with my myopic vision I would know that Santa had come when I saw that soap sticking above the top of my stocking.
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