Words from a Reader

The “Writing Life Stories” e-mails I receive are such treasures. As soon as I see there is one in my inbox, I read it immediately. I look forward to them and never know how they will touch me. They can be interesting, informative, humorous, and/or touching.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas 2013 - a Family Time

It is Christmas Eve, almost Christmas Day, 2013.

I am spending the holidays with loved ones, and I hope each of you have warm and peaceful days to remember and to make memories. 

 Thanksgiving ran right into making plans for the holidays. With a quick and busy visit to south Georgia my strength and perseverance were strained but not so much as was that of my sister, Gay, who hosted an absolutely lovely dinner today.

Christmas Day I will spend with family also – and be a guest at another Christmas dinner.  How fortunate we are to have family and to want to be together.
My immediate family, cousins and friends gathered in May this year at Lake Blackshear Resort
 Although many of my loved ones have passed on, and I am one of three siblings left, I was delighted to see the next generation carrying on our annual Christmas party that was begun years ago as a birthday celebration for my mother and her sister who were both born December 23. 

Lois Robison Council and her sister, Mildred R. Whitley
My mother, Lois Robison Council, would be 109 years old if she were living today. How I still miss her. If she had been at the party in her house, she would have met her great-great grandson, Elliott, who is not yet two years old. In my mind, I can see her smile as she hugged that little boy. He would have loved her.

I was told that I reminded some people of my mother. “You were channeling Aunt Lois,” my cousin Ginger said to me. I thanked her for the compliment. 

I enjoyed talking to the “kids” as we once called my nieces and nephews, one of whom is the grandfather of Elliott. 

As I sat in the same spot where my mother used to wait up for me when I was out on a date, sat in the place where her chair sat so many years ago, in the house that was my home until I met Barry and married him, I traveled back in time. The day I left to marry my soul mate, I cried as though my life were ending. Always fearful of change, I had no way of knowing I was embarking on a great adventure with the person sent to me to make my life complete. I only knew how much I was going to miss my home and my mother.
H. Barry Beall 

This Christmas marks five years without Barry. I don't think I will ever get used to his empty chair at the table. He is not forgotten. We tell stories and remember his humor, his large presence in our lives. But life goes on, holidays come and go, and I have much to look forward to in 2014.

I hope your New Year brings good health, peace, joy, and a life free from fear, anxiety and undue stress. Most of all I wish you time to stop and see the wonders of this world that surround you every day. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thank you all for reading my blog. You are the best.







8 comments:

  1. Reading this just makes me feel warm all over. Though I try to soak up every moment I have with my baby boy, I often daydream about how much our loved ones who have passed would love and enjoy him so. Thank you for posting this and I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

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  2. This is a really beautifully written post, and it made me feel both sad and happy for you. Sad for your losses but happy for your peace of mind. Blessings to you on this day, and wishes for a wonderful 2014.

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  3. Glenda,

    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.

    Sam & Meakin

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  4. Carrie, thank you for stopping by and leaving your comment. It was great seeing you and little Elliott and Steve, and going back home for the family Christmas party. As you can tell, it brought back fond memories.

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  5. Blessings to you, DJan, and good wishes for the New Year. Through your blog, I feel I have made a friend, and enjoy visiting you there.

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  6. Glenda,
    Blanche and I thought of you during Christmas and I'm glad you had a wonderful holiday with your family. I know you miss your mother, Barry, and other loved ones. It's great that you have these blessed memories of them that time will never erase.
    Have a joyful New Year!

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  7. Blessings to you, Brenda Kay, in the coming year. Thank you for being a regular reader of this blog.
    I enjoy reading your blogs and look forward to more poems by you in 2014.

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  8. I finally got to e-mail and your blog and enjoyed your post so much.You always say what I feel so beautifully. It was a good holiday season but I'm still tired and will have a very quiet New Year's Eve and day.

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I really appreciate your comments, and I love reading what you say.