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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Almost Christmas


Christmas 1974
Sherman TX
" notice the little puppy in the floor"  My favorite toy


My first Bicycle


Christmas 1974


Well, it is almost Christmas and everyone is rushing around putting up the last string of lights, getting the cards in the mail (does anyone do that anymore), and getting those last minute gifts bought.  Now, we have to get the time to wrap all the little buggers.  Family making plans to be at grandma's house. 

My favorite memories are from Christmas' Past when my grandmother and great-grandmother would rush us off to bed and tuck us in and tell us to hurry off to sleep so Santa would be on his way.  My dad would pop in once in a while and tell us that he heard Santa was stuck up in the mountains because of the snow and my sister and I would worry if he was going to make it.  I would sneak a peek to see if it had started snowing or listen for the sounds of hooves on the roof top.  While waiting to grab a glimpse of Santa, we would drift off to sleep...

...Morning would come arrive and Kris and I would pop out of bed, before anyone was awake (so we thought).  As we ran into the living room to see what Santa brought, we would find my grandmothers already hard at work on Christmas Dinner.  I still remember the smells of my Great-Grandmother's house as if she were here now.  My Aunt, Grandpa, Dad and both my grandmother's would all be present and away we would go to open the presents. 

Now that I am all grown up and have children of my own, it is still those memories that I remember and what I so very much want for my children.  Now that I look back, I realize it wasn't what was in the boxes that was so important, but the memories that stayed from those Christmas gone by.

To each and everyone who stops by Just Another Day.... please take a moment this Christmas Season and remember those special moments.  We often forget the little things that mean so much.  It is not what is inside that box that you will remember in the years ahead, but the love that was placed in picking that gift, and the special care and love that was given when picking out the paper and tieing that last bow.  To you and your family, I wish each and everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Friday, December 4, 2009

BURNT TOAST


When I was a little boy, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned toast in front of my dad.


I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed!

Yet, all my dad did was reach for his toast, smile at my mom, and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that toast and eat every bite! I got up from the table, and I heard my mom apologize to my dad for burning the toast.

I'll never forget what he said. 'Baby, I love burned toast.'

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night, and asked if he really liked his toast burned.
He wrapped me in his arms and said, 'Little Buddy, Momma had a hard day at work today and she's real tired. Besides, a little burnt toast never hurt anyone! Life is full of imperfect things, and imperfect people. Personnaly, I'm not the best at some things either.' I've learned over the years that learning to accept each other's faults, and choosing to celebrate each other's differences, is one of the most important steps to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. This could be extended to any relationship because understanding is the base on which any relationship is built, be it husband-wife, parent-child, or in friendship.
Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket but into your own. No one else can MAKE you happy, your happiness is a choice you make.
People will always forget what you do, they will forget what you
say, but will never, ever forget the way you make them feel.