When Jay Laughs...

My son Jay's laugh is one of my favorite things in the whole world.  When our little family of 8, now 7, gets together, either Susan or I usually do something that makes him laugh.  This Christmas it was Sus.

We were winding down on opening our massive array of gifts when Susan hopped up and walked over to my area.  She surveyed my things and checked to be sure nothing remained unopened.  So...she then grabs one of my bags, takes the gift out of it, and runs off to the bedroom.  We all just sit and listen to her rummaging around in there.  Then she runs back in with the same bag containing another gift for me which she had forgotten.  Trying to make herself heard above Jay's hysterical laughter, she tells us that they are a very "green" family!   Someone, it may have been Jay when he composed himself, commented that recycling a bag during a party was, indeed, extremely green!

What a wonderful day.  What a wonderful family.

The Christmas Stockings

Right after Madeline was born some 17 years ago, in a classic grandmother haze I purchased her a Christmas stocking.  Not just any stocking--she easily could have been placed in this stocking.  It was more suited for a giant than for a tiny baby....so, to perpetuate my mistake I got Susannah one, too, when she came along two years later.  What was I thinking?

Here they are, with a normal person's stocking added for comparison.  I'm not kidding.  The things are 32" long by 16" wide--I measured.  Just show me the chimney these puppies could hang by with care!

So...when most folks say they only lack shopping for stocking stuffers, that is a good thing.  With me--not so much.  I am accepting donations of large items a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old diva would love!  I'm thinking of beginning with grapefruit.

Forever a Favorite Photo

This was taken by Susan at her home on Thanksgiving Day, 2009.  Jack lived only about 4 more months.  Isn't that amazing?   The ONLY good thing about Alzheimer's Disease is that many people who have it (Jack was one) don't realize the devastation they are suffering.  And especially with Jack, that devastation did not include any physical pain or disability. 

You can't imagine how hard it was to take someone who looked like this back to Silverado and leave him.   

The First Christmas Without Jack

Several people have expressed concern and sympathy to me concerning this Christmas season.  In church this morning I experienced some realizations.  I went to the 11:00 service (can you say "sleepy-head?")

Two years ago I sat in the same service at the same time of year in about the same location.  On November 21, 2008,  I had just had to move the one I had promised 51 years earlier "to have and to hold"  into  Silverado Senior Living.  It was a wonderful place, but it was not our home.  When the notes of the first Christmas carol fell on my ears, I completely lost composure.  This was probably the only time this happened in public, but I had to sit down because of uncontrollable sobbing.

That Christmas, 2008, and the previous one were the hardest for me.  Jack was hospitalized in 2007, released on December 24th.  That was actually the lowest point in our whole journey with the insidious disease.  So...I appreciate all concern so much, but this Christmas is joyous knowing that Jack is free of the humiliation and suffering of his last 10 years.