Rosy Christmas

I have been asked if Christmas time is going to be hard for me this year. We had my dad with us the last two Holiday seasons and it was great to have him here. But over the last 20 years, I have only spent a total of 4 Christmas times with him. So Christmas has not been a time devoted exclusively to my dad. Yes, I have lots of Christmas time memories of him back in Michigan. We all have memories of spending the holidays with our parents. They change as we grew up, but still, time with our folks is always special...I know it was for me.

As I was putting up the tree this year, I thought of that first Christmas my dad was here in 2007. He helped me put the decorations on the tree and we talked about the ornaments...some from him or my mom. Last year, as his health was failing, I simplified the tree decorations. He was there with me as I hung the garland, poinsettia flowers, and bulbs. "Such a pretty tree" he would say.

I was baking over the weekend, and I remembered how, his first Christmas with us, my dad came and snuck dough from my bowl, or swiped cookies as they laid on the cooling rack. Last year, I served him warm cookies and milk as he sat in the family room and watched me do some baking.

I don't anticipate Christmas time to be hard for me this year. I do expect a lot of memories of old, and a lot of more recent memories to be in the front of my mind. That's ok. I want to remember my time with him. Last year's Christmas was my last with him...and most of it was good. :) For now, I am refraining from reading my blog of a year ago. It may cloud my rosy outlook that I am struggling to hold on to.