Still Believing...

 

This past year has been a rough one for my crew.  We have all moved at least once, and there have been more than a few big bumps in the road.  But... 

My Sean has managed to balance an enormous workload, and time with his girls. Never complaining, always there for his family.

 Bailey, our chatter box, is doing much better.

 

Jacey has developed a real talent for soccer.

 Marymine went thru a big bump, and managed to keep her head, and be there for her kids with amazing strength and grace. 

Ali is the most focused young lady I have ever known. Lauren has a wonderful sense of humor.

 Colt is a steadfast heart that keeps things running.

Cody, the devil doc corpsman to his very soul, has been on two deployments down range, this year alone. 

It hasn't been an easy year for any of them. They are all kind, good, tough, and honest and honorable to the bone, and I'm proud of them.

To the rest of the world they may be ordinary people, to me they are the world.

I have written our troubles on scraps of paper to burn away in the New Year's Eve bonfire, still believing in a future filled with love and laughter and family. 

    

After Midnight...with P.S.

I went early to Midnight Mass, so I could listen to the choir sing before the actual service.  It was good for my soul to be back in that beautiful old church.  I took a seat in the back, and ended up in the ol crones row.  All dressed in black they were, glasses perched on partisan noses, short gray hair.

I like being in back, so I don't have people behind me, and to see what is going on. Old family friends across the way to wave to.  A couple: the man sporting a high and tight, his arm around his lady, kissing her hair, and smiling down at her.  An older gentleman a few rows up by himself, but comfortable with it.  A young couple with small fussy children and a baby that slept thru it all.

The music was beautiful, a great choir. Outstanding really, when you consider the size of the parish.

 They have a Filipino priest now, a gentle kind man, but difficult to understand.  Maybe I just miss when Father D was here: his wit, wisdom, and sparkling Irish eyes. His crafty council could make something good out of imperfection.

Many prayers were whispered for the Corpsman's safe return home. I wanted to shout them, for fear they otherwise would get lost in the crowd. 

While the crones were off for wafers and wine, a wee gentleman stepped up to me and said "Where's your husband?"  A bit taken aback, I just shook my head.  Whereupon he said, "YOU don't have a husband!"  The crones returned then and he retreated.  I so wanted to laugh, it must have been my wild white hair, red coat and red heels in a sea of black.



PS:  Sitting on my parents bed this morning, with Dad in his chair, and mom dozing, I was telling Dad about Midnight Mass when suddenly two sharp eyes pop open in horror, and Mom yells... "Oh My God, you're a Catholic."

Wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas.

Elephant tales and Laughter...

 Simply put, I made a remark to my father this morning, to which he said " That was a smart ass remark!"  

"I am my father's daughter" I replied.

He looked at me with that spark in his eyes, hugged me, and said, "You sure as hell are."  We understand each other well. 

We seem to run to a certain kind of women in our family.  The red headed twins, my cousins, dad's brother's kids, stopped by today. It has been way too long since I have seen them.  They were on the way from Oregon to Frisco to watch the Niners play.  We laughed, and the banter flowed freely. Pictures were taken, and stories were shared.  Tales of three women who have seen the elephant.*

 

* http://www.museumca.org/goldrush/fever11.html

Honor, Love, & Respect

The Best Gifts often come in ways we never imagine...

Happy 39th Anniversary

 Bern and Jody