Relieved

Yes indeed I'm feeling so relieved that Christmas and the holidays are nearly over. I could not get into the Christmas spirit this year. I managed to get our tree inside the house decorated... all except the Angel that goes on top. It's still in a box somewhere up in the attic and we never did get back up there to rummage through the many boxes to find it. So needless to say it looked pretty, but definitely incomplete. And thats about all the decorating that I did. And there weren't alot of presents under the tree this year either. The boys made shopping for them a difficult task when they didn't have alot on their lists except of course for a few very expensive things. EVERYTHING has gotten so hi-tech. It's so hard to keep it all straight with so many different gaming systems, games that go with each one, ipods, electronic gadgets of all kinds. What happened to all the fun, simple games that we used to have as kids. All those that didn't take chargers, batteries and 1 inch thick operating and installation directions. No wonder so many people have resorted to buying gift cards for people. It's just craziness! But now that it's all said and done, I think that for the most part the boys had a pretty good Christmas. I know that I'll regret later not making it more memorable for them. They are growing up so fast. I wish I could just keep them my little boys forever. This world of ours they are forced to face every day, the challenges they have in store keep me holding my breathe in wonder of what the future holds for them.

We went to New Mexico and spent Christmas with my family though and had a very nice time. I so needed to see and spend time with my mom, dad and big sis. I have the BEST family and don't know what I would do without them. They always make me laugh with their silly antics and stories. I tried my best to remember some of them so that I can share them here later. Smiles, such great memories.

My Grandmother, my Dad's mom passed away a little over a week before Christmas. Perhaps thats why I was feeling a little blue and disheartened. She was a wonderful and very spiritual woman. Kind, loving and warm. She was no doubt a religious woman which at times irritated me to no end. Never failed you would begin visiting with her and she would begin preaching and quoting the bible. I would listen for as long as I could handle it but would sadly end up tuning her out. I know she meant well and I think she was very lonely and turned to the Gospel for peace and comfort. She lost her husband, my Grandfather... one very special man in 1979 of lung cancer. I was 13 when he passed and so often regret not having had the chance to have known him longer. If I could have had more time with him.... so many things I would have wanted to ask him and learn about him. But my Grandmother passed at the age of 87. She lost her will to live long ago and sadly was ready to die. Which I can see why. She was living in a nursing home and really had nothing there to live for. Her health began to deteriorate a few years ago. She made it clear long ago that if her health became bad that she did not want to be taken to a hospital or kept alive. That really makes me sad. I loved her alot and spent alot of time with her while I was growing up. She left me with alot of wonderful memories. So many of her spending time in her garden, tending to all of her beautiful roses and loving the outside and nature. I want to thank her for being a wonderful Grandmother to me. Her guidance instilled much of the peace and good sprit in me. I'll miss her dearly, but know that she is now completely at peace. I'm also very thankful that I (and the boys) took the time to go and visit here several months ago. Even though she didn't appear to know who we were. I'll never forget here beautiful, blue eyes. Bless her.

And soon, a New Year and a new journey will begin for each of us. For all of you, I wish you much love, peace and happiness. Until next time....
Brightest Blessings,