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| While I napped the family put up the tree. What a surprise! |
Nothing really, but my emotions got the better of me and big alligator tears began to fall about mid-day yesterday. This was the first Christmas without Dave. I managed to get through it without too many tears. The family came in for Christmas and my retirement from OU. Yes I am officially retired.
It was a beautiful tree this year filled with lots of handmade ornaments and pictures of the girls when they were little.
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| Dave's one year old Christmas Card. It has been hung on the tree every year for 72 Years. |
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| This is what almost made the evening bittersweet. Note the words. |
It was perfect. Dave surprised me a few years back and bought it for our to be 5th wheel. It will fit nicely in the motor home. Our tradition is we set the tree up Christmas eve and leave it up for the 12 days of Christmas and take it down the day after Epiphany. I was several days late in taking it down this year as I needed my helper to get the boxes down from the closet to pack away the many ornaments I have.
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| Ornaments from 1942 Canada |
Ben, my helper, is a 16 year old who loves manual labor. He takes care of my lawn for me and is helping me sort out the junk that I am trying to get rid of. He came over to rake up the leaves in my driveway and to move some furniture for me. My angel in disguise went to the tree without any prompts and started removing all the ornaments. He seemed to understand that I would become a sobbing mess if I had to take them off the tree. He is wise beyond his years and such a blessing to me.
I spent the rest of my evening watching Downton Abby and tenderly packing way ornaments and other Christmas decorations without it being bittersweet. The evening left me thankful for the many blessings I have.
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| My helper Ben |
Thanks Ben!
He's a good kid, but I think he is lying about his age. He has to be in his mid-thirties at least. He is way more mature than I am and that's just not right. :P Love you!
ReplyDeleteNope...Just 16, confirmed by his dad. He is a good kid. Is coming over Saturday and we are going to hit the garage if it is warm enough.
ReplyDeleteThat was nice mom, as I was putting that card on the tree it brought back great memories and tears, sure do miss him. Ben is a sweet kind kid and such a big help. Start with those boxes by recycle and save to pack stuff up and label. That will get you a big whole to move around in,tell him to bring his shop vac you will need it!��
ReplyDeleteDon't forget I have a huge shop vac that I bought your dad one year for Christmas. Will suck nails out of boards! Not really...
DeleteHe is a great kid and so helpful. Memories - so sweet, yet they can be so difficult.
ReplyDeleteHe is a great kid. So kind, considerate, polite, helpful, He is a testimony to his upbringing and his parents.
DeleteHolidays are so hard. Hope yours get better as time goes by.
ReplyDelete