Christmas 2014 Musings

Christmas 2014

Haven't been here in awhile; you know life, it gets in the way and out of control sometimes.

Christmas has always my favorite holiday.  I just get that squishy, warm feeling all over that I associated with love, family and peacefulness.  I suspect my mom had a great deal to do with that; Christmas was her favorite time of year.

Me and Mom New Braunfels 1959

Mom used to tell me about how hard it was for my grandmother at Christmas time.  My grandmother was a single mom of 4 from the time my mom was 5; my mom was the youngest with 3 older brothers.  She once told me that she would not have gotten anything at Christmas if it weren't for groups like Goodfellas at the Houston Chronicle.  Her favorite baby doll came from them one year and she cherished that doll.

Last known picture with Mom, Granny and the 3 boys

Mom would always make sure we had lots of family and friends around at Christmas.  Christmas Eve on Durhill street, was a time to gather, eat, drink, open gifts and just be thankful for all the family still here and extended family that would come to celebrate with us.  We used to laugh about how we gathered the "strays"; friends that worked the doubles and late shifts at the medical center in Houston and would stop by for a bite to eat.  The friends that had no family to spend time with or family was too far away to spend Christmas Eve with would show up at the Durhill house for family time with us.   Too many to name and so many not with us any longer but great memories!

Mom and Dad - not sure what year

As we all got older it was still a special time but as the grandkids began to appear, my mom found a renewed spirit as she saw Christmas through their eyes.  She delighted in telling them stories of Christmas when they were still so young and in awe of the bright lights and beautiful decorations!  Then those grandkids brought friends from high school with babies and we watched those babies grow up.  What a special time for sure!

Now, I have grandkids; well one here and one that will be here on New Years Eve.  I really want to share them with my mom; some days she feels so close. I want to share the complete and utter joy my mom felt this time of year with them the way she did.  I want to make Christmas as special for my daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren as my mom did for us.  Can you tell I am missing mom this year more than years past?

And no, I didn't forget dad.  Dad was FAMOUS for leaving his shopping for mom until December 22 or 23.  Then would come the call to me or my sister; I need to shop for your mom, can we go shopping?  And off we would go, usually to Galleria and the crowd and the traffic......we would walk and shop for hours. And then circle back to the first store we started in and buy something.  On Christmas Eve, he would sit back and watch with that grin on his face as we prepared and celebrated and you just knew he was bursting with joy.  But that wasn't his way to be exuberant, he was quietly in his element when we were all home on Christmas Eve to celebrate and he love seeing mom so happy and joyful!

If you have made it this far, I appreciate it.  I love sharing the holidays with family and friends.  I want you to know that even if we aren't together you are all in my mind and in my heart.  I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonder New Year.  Don't forget to give back to church and community at this time of year; it is a special time of year - share the joy that is Christmas with all you meet!

Charlie and Mom

 

Mandy - Charlie - Kelly - 1988

TerryT in Galveston: Confession Time!!!!!

TerryT in Galveston: Confession Time!!!!!: It’s Confession Time. For anyone in the audience that is Roman Catholic and raised in my generation, you know about going to confession...

Confession Time!!!!!

It’s Confession Time.

For anyone in the audience that is Roman Catholic and raised in my generation, you know about going to confession and especially during Lent, and will understand My Confession.

Today I did not go to church; I had committed to be at Johnson Space Center all day today to help out a friend.

Norm has asked me to be a judge in the annual Space Settlement Design contest each year for the past 5 years. The competition divides 160 or so high school students into 4 companies; each company answers an RFP [request for proposal]. From Friday at around 6pm to Sunday at 7:30am they attend mini training sessions and research the best possible way to answer the RFP [Request for Proposal]. The majority of the group drives down in 3 or 4 buses from Iowa; that is 22 hours more or less from Iowa to Texas. They bring a number of chaperones, teachers, mentors and parents along with 140 high school age kids. The remainder, 20 to 25, are from the Houston area. This is one of many activities associated with National Engineers Week to increase awareness among high school students on the numerous ways they can become involved in a variety of engineering disciplines. As the daughter and sister and niece of Civil Engineers, I understand the need for good engineers in the pipeline, so to speak. We just don’t seem to have enough of them in some areas and this is one way to promote the profession.

Each year the RFP is a bit different. This year the challenge was to create a ‘moving’ settlement on Mercury while processing a fictitious ore called Reardonium. The student teams have a CEO and managers and ‘worker bees’ and each person has a job and input into the final proposal. Certain requirements have to be met such as sustaining human life in a very hostile environment at a fraction of earth’s gravity; dealing with dust; creating a pleasing home and work environment for the permanent population and for potential paying visitors to the settlement.

The kids get to work onsite at Johnson Space Center in Building 9 where all of the shuttle mockups are located; I suspect this is for the ‘wow factor’ and for inspiration. They sleep dormitory style at the onsite recreation facility, well, as much sleep as they can squeeze into the busy time. Then after the judges have seen the presentations by all 4 companies, the buses load them up and take them to the NBL [Natural Buoyancy Lab] and to see the Saturn Rocket at Rocket Park.

Around 4pm, the kids come back to the banquet hall and they are debriefed with a general list of things to improve on and each team is given a list of things that were positive about their specific proposal. Then, the team that wins the competition is given their medals and certificates. The winning team has to choose the 12 ‘top’ members and some standby members that will represent the U.S. in the international competition at JSC in July. This is truly an honor for these kids!

When all is said and done, I know I probably should have been a good girl and gone to Mass today; but I didn’t. I will say that after my day spent as a volunteer judge, listening the high school students present their concept of a space settlement on Mercury, my heart is full and my conscience is clear. You are probably asking how that is possible. For me, I feel like some of the volunteer work I am drawn to is put in my path for a reason or the people there were put in my path, for a reason. I hope that each and every one of the students there this weekend, came away with something positive out of their experience.

Either way, I feel good about my world. If you've read this far, I hope I didn't bore you too much. I am beginning to use my blog as a way to relieve stress or just share things I would like to share with my grandchildren one day.

Until next time!!!

TerryT in Galveston: Another chapter....turn the page

TerryT in Galveston: Another chapter....turn the page: Today – February 29 th , is the last day of the ODIN contract between NASA and Lockheed Martin; this much is true. For me this contract ...

Another chapter....turn the page

Today – February 29^th, is the last day of the ODIN contract between NASA and Lockheed Martin; this much is true.

For me this contract started in early November 1999 and ended February 2012. If I tell you it’s like a death in the family, does that make any sense at all? The grief is real and palpable.

I was a teacher technologist in Houston Independent School District [HISD] in 1999 and someone told me to look at the job postings in the online Houston Chronicle – there was a job that had My Name written all over it; so I applied in March 1999. Sometime in late September of that year, I got a call to come down to Clear Lake for a face-to-face interview and I got the job for a Tech Trainer that was versed in MS Office had PC hardware and software background and MS FrontPage experience.

Here I am, 12 years later; my kids have moved from high school to college to medical school and a surgical residency…….college to working political fundraisers and an HR Professional; I picked up a MS in Instructional Design and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and the stuff I achieve doesn’t mean a damned thing to anyone but me. Go Figure!

My kids have become productive young women and I am so very proud of their achievements. I never imagined that I would become a causality of this contract change over; I always thought I had developed a wide repertoire of skills and knowledge that would be valued on the follow on contract and I would be employed.

Sadly, that is not the case tonight. I am among the many millions of unemployed in our great nation. In one sense, it is very liberating to know I do NOT have to wake at 5:30 am to begin my day; rather, I can begin my day when either I wake up OR my dog wakes me to go out. On the other hand, I feel like a piece of drift wood cast upon the waves to wander the coastline.

I also feel like I am mourning a death in the family. I knew the patient was terminally ill for some time; the doctor had pronounced the terminal diagnosis some time ago. I have been preparing myself for the inevitable demise of the patient but there is nothing in my previous life experience to prepare me for the devastation I feel tonight. The terminal patient was pronounced dead at the close of business February 29, 2012. The wake/funeral was attended by so few as to make one wonder; did anyone else feel the devastation and loss I felt today? Why am I the only one? OR did everyone else just take the loss in stride and move on?

So, I will grieve in my own way; I will figure out how to move on and I will survive. That which does not destroy me make me stronger; I know this. But for tonight, I grieve.

I grieve for the companionship I will miss each day; I grieve for the friends that will fade away for lack of nourishment and I grieve for my losses.

Tomorrow, I will regroup and do the things I need to do to survive and move forward. The true friendships I’ve made the last 12+ years will survive. The rest will be distant memories to be revived when several are gathered to reminisce. So, to those who choose to nurture our friendship, I am honored! To those who do not, I grieve for what could not be because you made that decision but everything in its place and for a reason.

Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, I will return stronger and better for the experiences of having worked at NASA for 12+ years and for the support of all of the people I’ve met and whose lives have touched mine.

THANKS for the memories, JSC!!!!!

T minus 8 days and counting.....

Well, it is T-minus 8 days and counting to Unemployment.

My contract at NASA ends at the close of business on February 29, 2012 after 13 years on the same contract. The new contract did not make provisions to hire a trainer, conflict resolution specialist, customer liaison person aka jack of all trades, master of none. Layoff notices have been served - desk is pretty much cleaned out - all that is left is to say goodbye and turn in the rest of my equipment.

Over the last 13 years I have picked up certifications in Lean Six Sigma, a Masters Degree; seen both of my girls graduate from their respective undergrad programs; seen one kid go on to Med School and then Residency - get married and go into private practice.

I've met astronauts and rocket scientists and NASA upper management folks and the workers that make the space program really work and then I discovered that for the most part, they are just like the rest of us. I've made friends, lost a few, seen some move away but the lifelong friends will be with me always.

I've lost family members in that 13 year time and lived out of state for 18 months.

I've learned a lot about myself and how I respond to short, impossible deadlines; how I respond to catastrophic events and that I am strong enough to outlast them all.

And I am very uncertain as to what my future holds. For the first time in my life, I am approaching a major crossroad and neither my Mom or my Dad is here to be my sounding board. I feel like a sailboat with no centerboard - able to move but drifting with the tide.

So, I will dry my tears, put a smile on my face, hold my head up high and keep moving forward to whatever window or door is opening for me. I hope I don't miss it; I think that is the most frightening part of all of this venture. I hope and pray I recognize the open window or door when it appears.

On March 1st, I will sleep in, have my coffee and a long walk with my Maggie dog then apply for unemployment.
On March 2nd, I will get my hair trimmed and my nails and toes done.
And on March 3rd, I will get on the Triumph and sail to Progresso and Cozumel and enjoy the warm sun and clear blue water of the Gulf of Mexico. To paraphrase Scarlett O'Hara, I'll think about the rest of it when I get back from my cruise!!!

I hope to have some wonderful stories to share when I return and maybe find that centerboard for my sailboat!!

More Christmas musings.....

As I got ready for work this morning [yes, I am one of 'those' people at my desk this morning] I was thinking about Christmas 2004. What a truly magical Christmas!!! The memories are bittersweet too.

My sister still had her house in Southwest Houston; I was sharing space with her. Her job, at that time, took her away on trips for a week or more at a time to the Northeast to meet with clients and I was the house-sitter - nephew-sitter while she was gone. I truly enjoyed those times, even when they were not so pleasant, but cherish the time to get close to my nephew and closer to my sister.

But that year, we had all the parental units still with us, all the grandkids and kids were in town and Mom and Dad were delighted to have the Christmas Eve family celebration at my sisters house! We had some of the proverbial 'strays' too. One family in particular was and is still very special to us; he was my girls' computer teacher in high school and we were fortunate to become friends with his precious wife and beautiful children. Both of my kids babysat both of their kids through the years and we got to watch them grow up into beautiful young people. But I digress. There were events that made This Christmas especially memorable.


2004 was the year of the "2004 Christmas Eve Snowstorm"

As we made our preparations for all of the friends and family that would show up that evening there was a special 'tingle' in the air - it was cold and cloudy and the local weather forecasters were actually saying the "S" word out loud and in public! We all hoped it would snow but as the day wore on into evening, no sign of flurries.

Then around 5:30-6:00 Mom and Dad drove into the driveway and said, "We saw some flakes on the way over!" Talk about excited!!! Then when the Newlands arrived awhile later, we had a full blown dusting of snow EVERYWHERE in the yard and on the street! By Rocky Mountain or Northeast U.S. standards, this was nothing but in Houston, Texas on Christmas Eve, this was the event of the year if not the decade! S N O W on the ground and sticking for awhile at CHRISTMAS!!!!

As we visited and snacked and opened presents that Christmas Eve, everyone talked about how special THIS Christmas Eve was - we had loved ones around us and enjoyed the moment - I couldn't even tell you what anyone got as presents but we ALL got the present of a White Christmas Eve in Houston, Texas that year. In my book, that's a bucket list item checked off.

The bittersweet part of this story is, that was the last Christmas we had with my Dad. He was gone before the next Christmas but, I will always cherish that Christmas as a Very Special one with all of the family together and the white stuff on the ground. How wonderful that Dad's last Christmas was a white one and at home :-)

My Wish for all of my Family and Friends:
As you go about your preparations for this Christmas, think about the special moments - the laughter of your children - the warm feelings of being with family and friends, all together for another Christmas - the joy and delight in seeing the decorations on the houses you pass as you drive around town. Enjoy these moments, you will never ever get them back and make them into special memories to take out later and hold dear. And in the days, weeks, months and years to come, when you feel a little down and out of sorts, pull out those warm memories and let those memories warm your heart.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! From me and my family to You and Yours!!

Check out this wiki on the 2004 snowfall - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Christmas_Eve_Snowstorm

TerryT in Galveston: Christmas Memories

TerryT in Galveston: Christmas Memories: Christmas Memories What are your Christmas memories? Are they warm memories of family and friends? Do you have memories of going to ...

Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories

What are your Christmas memories? Are they warm memories of family and friends? Do you have memories of going to church or singing in a choir? Did you ever have to work at Christmas time?

I am feeling especially nostalgic this year and I’m not quite sure why. Daddy has been gone for 6 years this past October and Mom left us August 2010. I’m blaming this nostalgic sort of melancholy frame of mind on all of the recent past and the upcoming changes in my environment. And while I’ve been somewhat weepy I am enjoying the good, warm feeling I get when I give to family, friends and even strangers. So, if you’ve read this far and you are curious, I’m going to share my Christmas’ past, present and what I hope will be in my Christmas' to come!

Christmas’ in the past, as a small child, were magical! The season always stared with Aunt Lynne’s Christmas luncheon at the Houston Club downtown. She would book the luncheon to coincide with the large 2 story Christmas tree in the lobby and the TSU Carolers to be in attendance. There were aunts, uncles, cousins, great aunts, great uncles, and cousins many times removed. Various long time family friends would come and celebrate with us but the best memory of all was after lunch. Mom would take me to see the Christmas scenes, usually animated, in the windows of the downtown Foley’s department store. Talk about magical! And then we would do some shopping before heading home.

Trimming the tree at our house, when I was younger, was always interesting. The annual tug-of-war over fresh cut versus ‘it’s time for an artificial tree’ was always a lively discussion. Mom won out until after we had all mostly moved out on our own. Dad would hang the lights and then watch and direct traffic as we hung the ornaments. Then came the icicles…..a bit of background here – Dad was an engineer so, hanging icicles was not just more decoration, it was a precise balance of where and how many to hang. And woe be unto you if you pulled more than one strand at a time! Pulling out the stockings was always a treat. A friend of the family from when I was an infant, hand made and decorated a felt stocking for me with my name embroidered on the top of it. I still have it and as fragile as it is, it has been hung most every year since I received it!

Christmas Eve in the early years, were spent at my Dad’s mom’s house. I remember food and fun playing with all my cousins and visiting with all the family. And then the gift exchange! Then home with Mom and Dad and off to bed to wait for Santa to come. Some years, Santa would leave me a note after he ate his cookies and drank his milk; I think I still have one of the notes. Amazing how similar to my Dad’s handwriting it is.

Christmas morning was even more magical! The stockings were now filled and usually on the couch or a chair with all of the toys and presents Santa brought while we were sleeping. The living room would be filled with wrapping paper and squeals of delight over all the toys and presents Santa and my parents gave to us.

About the time I was in my early college years, after my Nana had passed away, we had Christmas Eve at my Mom and Dad’s house and now we had my children and then my niece and nephew along with assorted in-laws. We also had what I called the ‘strays’. These were the friends and sometimes friends of friends that had no place to go or no family close by. A lot of this group consisted of doctors and nurses, with no children, spouses or significant others, who would work a shift at the hospital and stop by on the way to work or the way home for refreshments and usually something to unwrap from Santa. Those times as a young adult and later as a mother myself, were just as magical as the Christmas’ from my childhood because I was fortunate enough to see the season through the eyes of my own beautiful daughters.

Some years have been tougher than others. Those Christmas’ that were the first holidays after losing both grandmothers, Aunt Lynne and then Dad and finally Mom were very hard. Somehow knowing how much they all loved this time of year made it easier to celebrate and remember their joy in the season.

The past couple of years my daughters and I and their spouse / significant other have celebrated along with my siblings. It’s a lot more “low key” than years past; a smaller group but still warms my heart that we all still gather together. This year, my brother is living with me. He was just recently diagnosed with MS and is unable to drive so, he is at my mercy. Not that this is a bad thing but he will be with me Christmas Eve and Christmas morning as we celebrate with my kids at my youngest daughter’s house in Houston. A different celebration in a different location from years past but the sentiment and the joyous celebration with family remains the same. We will spend a quiet Christmas Eve finishing up the wrapping and prepping for Christmas morning brunch. The oldest and my son in law are both on call Christmas Eve so they have to stay close to where they might be called in to see patients. There are no young children, this year, to share the wonders of waking up on Christmas morning and running into where the stockings are filled; signs that Santa came during the night; but my hope is that this will be my future Christmas’.

In recent years, I have come to look forward to the company's participation in the Salvation Army Christmas Angel tree. I’ve been doing this for 12 years; when the girls were younger I chose kids close to their ages and we shopped for kids that had less than us. The past 4 or 5 years I’ve picked the ‘Forgotten Seniors’ from the list, one each, male and female. I remember my mom and dad when I shop for these precious angels. After this year, I’ll have to find an Angel Tree on my own. Our contract ends February 29, 2012 and at this point I will be unemployed at close of business on that day. While I am apprehensive, I am not dwelling on my job prospects; that little issue can wait until AFTER I have celebrated this glorious time of the year with my family.

So these are my memories and my hopes for the future. My wish is that all of my precious family and friends will have a joyous and loving time with their own family and friends. Remember those who are not here to celebrate with us any longer and know they are looking down and smiling as we toast each other this Christmas Season.

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!!