This year I will remember the faces of my girls when they were completely surprised when they received a very special gift. I will remember my mother relaxing at my house on Christmas Eve, the torch finally passed on to me to host the celebrations, now free to enjoy her grandchildren.

I will remember that we are able to have good times in the midst of sorrow, if we don’t forget to appreciate our blessings.

I want to join in with the group to say what a lovely story you wrote, it was both sweet and sad and also hopeful. I love hope, it has kept me going when times were tough. One of my favorite scriptures on hope is Hebrews 6:19-20.

Come to think of it, I think I’ll use this scripture as my memory verse for the first one on Beth Moore’s challenge. Have you signed up yet?

And so, on to my memory from this Christmas. Well, several I guess, first, Jeremy wasn’t here, he is in Iraq. Second his twin sis, Kristen announced that she will be adding to the growing number of grandchildren in this clan! So that will make seven. Whew, it’s getting busy around here. And my honey and I had a quiet day just the two of us. It was great. I’ll take it however it comes and enjoy while I all that I can.

Be Blessed and have joyous New Year!

My 2yo son saying, “Merry Twissmass!” over and over in the sweetest voice…

My 9yo and 2yo sons playing with all of their cousins – particularly the one who has autism. For that time, they were all the same, and there was nothing different (aside from ages) about any of them…

Staying in our PJs all day on Christmas Day…

I hope I remember how blessed I am right now. There may come a day when that is not the case, but it is now, and I am grateful for it!

I want to remember how at peace I am right now. The peace of God is a wonderful gift – given freely!

Happy New Year to all!

I will remember the look on Roger’s face when I walked down the stairs in our house, to hold his hand and together with our children in front of friends and family, declare our love.

I hope that I don’t really remember much from this Christmas, although, I know that I will. My doctor called me at noon on Christmas Eve with the results of my MRI I had had done recently. He referred me to a spinal surgeon. I have spinal stenosis. It explained many of my problems…..at least, I not crazy but wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear, either. I’m 49.

I have a new grandson who was born on Dec. 1. He’s wonderful; healthy and beautiful. But, my son-in-law HATES animals….all kinds. I had wondered why they had not brought the baby over to Grammie and Grandpa’s house. They live just 25 miles away. We go to see him 2-3 times a week.

They were here for 2 hours Christmas Day but refuse to bring him here because of our dogs. We have 2 mini-schnauzers…..the mother (4 yrs. old) and her pup (1 yr.old). They are clean and well-behaved. I did not see this coming at all. No one said a word to us about it until I asked if they could come over. My daughter refused to come. This has just broke my heart. It’s like being called an unfit parent.

I’ve cried more this weekend than I’ve cried for years. I was so excited about being a grandma. To treat me like I’m unfit is so insulting. I have a Christmas tree just for my grandson, a bassinet fixed just for him, a “grandbaby’s first Christmas” picture frame with no picture for it, etc. I could write pages as to the kind of mother I am and have been. I could show you pictures of my home and these “vicious” dogs. You would see how completely unreasonable this is.

I never, ever in my wildest dreams would have thought that any of my children would be so mean and hurtful to me, certainly not my only daughter who I thought I had a great relationship with.

We are all alive and well, sort of. While my diagnosis is awful, it isn’t terminal. My grandson is healthy and doing fine. But, this Christmas has stunk!