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