We celebrated Jon’s birthday yesterday.  I’d have to say that it was the best one in many years.  It was enjoyable to have it on the 3rd instead of the 7th.  The time spent planning the LEGO party kept my mind busy and my  hands busy. Always a good thing.  Yesterday afternoon I experienced the let down feeling that often comes after a big event, but it was a relaxing down period. 🙂  My heart is full of gratitude and thankfulness for my friends and their families, and for the friends that couldn’t come. Birthdays are a time that I think of those who have touched our lives, and I have a desire to fellowship with them and thank them for the past year spent together, the physical and spiritual support that they have given us throughout the year.  I think that is the reason I love to throw a huge party.  I have huge Thanksgiving. 🙂

The first week of December holds birthdays for Darren’s Sister, Aunt and Grandmother.  Darren’s "Grandma at the Farm" and Jon have the same birth day.  My dad’s birthday comes later in the month.  Then, of course, we wrap up the month remembering that our Messiah, Christ came to the earth.

December also holds a lot of sadness for our family – Jon and Grandma also share the day that Darren’s sister passed away.  Each year the emotions are different.  Vastly different.  The pain and the sorrow washes over fresh each year.  The sharp pain and agony have gone, and the remembrance of the loss is new. Thoughts of her children run through the video of memory – but they are but 3 and 5 and 7 in my pictures of remembrance. Now they are fully grown adults.  Grief for the pain of Mama and her sons is probably the hardest for me.  Not knowing what to say. Not knowing how to help.  The loss of the relationship with Darren’s Dad happened on the same week.  Prayers for a peaceful healing reunion continue to be ever present. In one week my best friend lost his sister and his dad. We go through out the rest of the year with a joyful memory here and there.  Tishie used to do this, Tishie used to say that.  Oh the Pig Story.  How I can vent a guttural laugh at the very thought of it, and then tear up in the next second at the knowledge that it will not be until we are re-united again to hear it.   So far, this year, "it" hasn’t really hit.  Maybe this will be the year of fond remembrance.  I was watching a show last night and the main character looked just like her.  Tall.  Thin.  Glamorous.  Hair is done. Lipstick Always On.  Besides the picture of mounds of bacon and stacks and stacks and stacks of waffles in her Missouri kitchen, I think my favorite photo  memory is from a picture of Tishie on the dock on the Gulf of Texas.  It is early in the morning, and she is in Lawman Jeans, with the crease of ironing, an over sized shirt, her hair is up, and the Lipstick is in place – and she is holding a crab basket.  Really Tishie?  Full Red for crabbing?  Always brings a smile.