Christmas Memories

With Christmas right around the corner, I can't help thinking about my parents, last year we had both with us. Who knew that  just 4 months later my mom would leave us. I look back in the pictures I have of her, I can tell how much she was in pain and didn't feel well in most of the time. I think when you see someone everyday, you get used to the way they look and don't notice things like that.  You could tell just by looking in her eyes, she was ill. She always put on a brave front for everyone.  Everyone said she had the sweetest smile, it is just so sad to know that I won't see her smile again in this life time.  Then  when she died, my dad didn't want to go on without her, it was so obvious, he lost his reason for living, he had taken care of her for so long. He left us on Sept. 2nd, and now both are at peace. It seems so strange not to have them with us. 

I remember growing up, my dad worked 2 jobs to make sure we had everything we wanted and needed.  Every Christmas, they would ask for a list of things we wanted.  We usually got everything on the list.  My sister and I used to laugh about the way they wrapped things, it was wrapped exactly the way it was shaped, so all we had to do was remember what was on the list and we knew what "Santa" had brought us.

 As my daughter gets ready to move into their house, it is with mixed feelings. I know they would be happy to know that she will be there and so close to us.  But it seems so strange to walk into that house and know they won't be there, mom in her bed by the window and daddy sitting in his chair.

So Merry Christmas Mom and Dad, I love you and miss you.