DIY- Table Crashers!

How he has grown!  I love it that my grandchildren live so close to me! It is one of the greater blessings that God has given us. Not everyone is so fortunate, so I never ever discount this blessing!

Roger was probably one of the happiest men on earth because he had grandchildren (and children too) so close to him almost all the time.  He loved family!

Roger was really good at pointing out tripping hazards to me and tried his best to keep them under control. Safety first!  He did not like yard work much, so he kind of left me alone with the misc things I would somehow acquire in the garage and yard.

I had this wonderful old work table. It worked out for me inside the garage for a long time. It came out of a warehouse that daddy had and was just amazing for storage and work.  It lasted until the water softener sprung a water leak and eventually rotted some of the wooden supports.  At that time, I moved it to the garage apron and moved in some amazing oak cabinets that I acquired through 'dumpster diving' - oh the history.  UCF's old science lab, moved to TMA's early years campus and eventually my art room.  When that campus was shut down, nobody wanted 'old stuff' - nobody but me - so some parents showed up with me one afternoon and we climbed up into those shuttered portable classrooms and salvaged those cabinets - Ah! Something headed for the dumpster - I feel so like an HGTV host!     They sat in my garage until I could refinish them, then we moved them into the shell of a classroom, which is what schools typically do - give you an empty cube and say - 'make it a classroom.'   That is why teachers acquire random stuff.

Even when I left the original 'new' classroom and moved across campus to the new art studio - guess what - not enough storage!  Aha! But my oak cabinets traveled with me!  And they enjoyed many good years holding supplies and artwork of many talented artists - and many kids who humored me by acting like they cared about having to take an art class....but paths crossed for a reason!

And then I retired. By that time, the school was willing to spend the money for what was needed. No one else seemed to care about my beautiful oak cabinets like I did, so I took them home with me. They had become like a part of me, after all!

Roger humored me again and walked around the stuff until I could refinish them again and add casters to every unit.  After all, he was never the 'clean out the garage' kind of guy and I knew that we were getting older - so casters were a PERFECT plan for providing flexibility and easy movement for my coming years. Gotta let a girl re-arrange!

And so - my faithful warehouse work table moved out at this point. And my beautiful oak cabinets claimed new homes.

For a few years, the table weathered the storms of life in the great outdoors. Potting table, paint table, work table. We all weather the storms of life - different purposes for different seasons.  We stand strong for as long as we can, but eventually something gets us - takes us out.

My table became more and more feeble as time passed and it hit a point in the fall when I just knew the whole thing was going to tip over and become a real problem.  And that is when Jacob arrived.
What middle school boy does not relish the idea of demolishing something?

It was so interesting watching his mind work when we decided that some was worth salvage and some was simply to be trashed. After all - this wood was at least 40 years old - you don't find great wood so often any more!     Step by step, Jacob disassembled the work table. Step by step, we took it to the curb - either in a trash can, or to be stacked by the tree with a sign - "Free"

He did an amazing job and Roger would have been so proud of him for helping me out with this project. I loved the feeling of satisfaction that he had at the end of the job....knowing he had indeed demolished, yet not destroyed, and had re-purposed something of value.

Roger's Lesson:   Keep giving opportunities to young people so they can know that they are capable. It empowers them as they learn to serve others and provide a service to others.  

Yes, Roger would almost always hire a young person for things like yard work so they could practice those lessons.  Train up the youth instead of hiring the professional, he would say. And it had nothing to do with money.  It had everything to do with empowering someone else to serve.

Well, Jacob is a great young helper and I look forward to many more years of watching him grow up. I just hope the girls can be kept at bay during these years because they will take up too much of his time. And his Juci needs him!

Treasures

It was like the first day that we went to the Magic Kingdom back in February. We wandered around like mindless people. Where was our fearless leader?  Jim had not figured out in those few days that he would have to step up and keep us on task.

I'm not entirely sure any of us actually realized what a challenging job that actually was - keeping us all on task. Possibly only Roger was actually up to the challenge!

When I look back, it was hilarious. All of us standing at the circle in front of the castle and finally making eye contact with each other, each with that puzzled look ...why are we here and where were we going?   Not something a photo of any kind could give justice to...visual memory...that's all.

It was like deja vu when we began to share gifts on Christmas Day.

First package unwrapped, bow passed to Juci....WAIT.....where does the paper go?  Who has the bag?
Roro, always the one to think "safety first" always had the bag so that no paper would drift near a candle or fireplace, to start a fire.

Well,  Jacob to the rescue!  Of course he had to keep his hands free to handle the gifts that came his way, so he put his clever mind to work to quickly solve the problem.  Ro-ro's chair and Ro-ro's other chair.  Backs of chairs equals hands. Big bag is held open in a form similar to a basketball hoop.  Paper goes to Jacob. Jacob compresses it into a ball and proceeds to slam dunk, free throw, or whatever else you do with a 'basketball."

Perfect.  I am sure Roger was having a ball watching it all!

Actually, I am pretty sure he was worshiping at the feet of Jesus and not so interested in paper.
But one can imagine.

And the fun lasted all day.  We had a "Progressive Christmas" where we started at Kristin's then moved to Karin's and then to Juci's.   And we ate along the way, and laughed, and enjoyed each other.  We finished up the evening with a crazy game, and no, I don't think any of us got out of our jammies all day.

And that was ok.

We had each other, and we have had and still do have so many blessings.  And the overwhelming sadness that began our 2014 has diminished only because of the great joy that God has shown us and allowed us in bits and pieces throughout this year.

Roger's Lesson:  Treasure each other more each and every day. Don't take anything for granted. Plan for tomorrow, but live each day as if it will be your last on earth - but not your last for eternity.  That's the best way to celebrate Christmas.

And I do think that we do treasure each other and each moment even more - every day.

Whatever this new year holds, I know that God has shown Himself strong and able to help us through anything.

Something is missing!

Tradition.  As crazy as it sounds, on Christmas morning the aroma of " Li'l Smokies - Kielbalsa" wrapped in crescent rolls comes from my kitchen.

Never a sausage fan, I break the rule on Christmas and with Kielbalsa.  Polish tradition? I don't know, but those little piggies in a blanket just seem to get the day started off just right.  Typically I would have fresh fruit and lots of other snackies, but this year was quiet - and small, so I kept it simple.

A few years back, I became a fan of Brie.  -- I am quite sure that whether or not Brie baked in pastry has anything at all to do with a Polish tradition, that it was likely Barbara ...our resident "Martha Steward and Betty Crocker" all rolled into a tiny little package.... indeed, Barbara likely introduced us to this little delicacy.

And of course....sparkling.....because every day needs some sparkle, and most especially Christmas.   (now, I am personally not a fan of any sparkly beverage, which is quite ironic since I pretty much like any other bling and sparkle in the world)   Thank you Welch family for figuring out how to put red and white sparkle in a pretty, foil capped bottle.

And coffee.  Karin brought her own.  I never have figured out the recipe. I guess this is the first Christmas of my adult life, if not my entire life, where I did not awaken to the smell of freshly brewing coffee.

OK....this is a memory and worth recording for my children because I don't want them to forget that every really special day should have some really special traditions. They will have theirs, as Roger and I had ours, but what is important is to have them.  It is great because when you are away from home and family, it gives you something to long for.  It reminds you of comfort and love and joy.

At least it should.

Roger's Lesson:  Good on the kielbalsa, sweetie!  You are probably going to find a big package in Heaven one day though - and it is likely to be filled with DD Coffee - because it is definitely one blessing you are cutting yourself out of. But keep the traditions! 

I can hear it - really - I can almost hear him speaking!
But Karin, Kristin, and Jim make up for what I don't drink.
I'll still pass.

Gifts

You can't skip Christmas.

Even though I got behind on my posts, Christmas is just too important to say, "oh, well, I didn't record the memories."

I can't say that Christmas was easy this year.  I built up all of this apprehension about "The Day" starting as early as October.

How would I handle it? Would I be strong for my family? Would my faith hold strong, that God would carry me thorough?

Honestly, I really thought about skipping the whole thing and taking off for a hotel somewhere and just waiting it out. That was back in September and October.  Now I see that I was just afraid. Afraid that Roger's favorite time of the year would be just so much more than I could handle without him.

But wow - he has some pretty incredible children. They showed me that Christmas was not only his favorite time of the year, it was mine too. They showed me how I added the sparkle and bling.  (oh, yes, everything that just screams that this season is special)  They showed me how he loved it, but I added it.  And they wanted me to do it again.

We have this system - Karin likes unwrapping boxes, so we ditched the gift bags a few years ago. Kristin just likes the wrapping done, so we took that (and the cheapo paper) away from her a couple of years ago.  Karin and I are happy with our photos now. Each home has color themed gift wrap. See how beautiful it is at Kristin's.....and she is so agreeable because she never has to wrap a thing! LOVE IT!  And we like the abundance. Oh...thieves could take it all and it would not amount to much at a pawn shop....it is the boxes and bows we like....not the stuff.   Silly stuff, but fun gifts.....hot chocolate mix, swedish fish....you know, the delights of life!

Maybe it is good that I am writing about it in hind-sight. I can see it all more clearly now.

Where I/we sit today, I can see that God allowed me to work through this struggle within myself, and this struggle with my faith, because I would need more courage later.

But for this day - Christmas - I am so glad that He allowed me to decide to listen to the wisdom in my children and let them guide me.  The season was wonderful - well, as wonderful as was possible without Roger - but yes, wonderful and everything he would have loved. Time with family, time with friends, doing for others.  Quiet time gave me time to really focus on what Christ had done for me so many years ago, and also all that He has done for me in this very difficult past year.

He carried me through the saddest time in my life. He provided comfort in the most remarkable ways through people I knew and through people I barely knew. He showed Himself faithful and strong and everything I ever knew He was - but I have experienced it in a far different way than ever before in my life.

I am so blessed to have my family near me almost all the time. Rare in the transient world in which we live, to be sure. We share our joys and our sadness, and always have seemed to pull each other back to the joy of the moment, of the day, of our lives. Roger would have wanted it no other way, for he lived that way.  The girls are such an example of him.

So on this Christmas, when we reflect back on a year of such loss and grief, we can also stand strong and say that that little baby that we celebrate each year on the date 'designated' as the date of His birth  is like always, so much more than just a baby. More unique than being born in a manger. More important than just having a special star and shepherds and wise men come to Him.

Roger's Lesson:  Keep celebrating Christmas. It is always about CHRIST and not about you. Take the day and embrace it, embrace Him. He is as alive today as He was over 2000 years ago.  No other figure in all of history can claim that. No other figure has accomplished that.   And it is not just about Him on this day, but on every single day of the year.

And I know that - always have - but never have felt it as deeply as I did this year.

And those gifts - just another object lesson that I learned a long time ago.  I think we love the abundance of gifts because we love to think about the amazing gift that God gave to the world all those years ago, to allow His only Son to come to earth as flesh and bone....and that He not only came, but came for the purpose of dying so that we might all have the opportunity to have eternal life with Him.    To live, to die, to live forever.  

And the boxes - just ponder this.  God has amazing gifts and surprises, we call them blessings, all stacked up and ready for us.  Only we have to accept them in order to receive and enjoy them.  Some are huge blessings (like a new toy or gadget), and some are just the little things of everyday life, like a smile or a hug (like hot chocolate or swedish fish) but all are special.  How many do we leave at the tree (or at the cross) simply because we choose not to receive.  

But the greatest gift - ah, don't miss that one.  It is the gift of eternal life - available ONLY through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  And really, without that one....none of the others are really worth anything.  Don't miss the important one (John 3:16)

I pray that this year I will be receptive to each and every opportunity God brings my way. I pray that my faith will be stronger and that while I am walking this earthly journey, that I check out all of the blessings....it would be a shame to see a huge stack when I get to Heaven and have Christ say that it was there for me all along.

Every person we meet is in our life for a reason. And hopefully - that in itself is a blessing! It definitely has been for me.

Blessed Christmas 2014   ~ indeed.

Everywhere

How appropriate. At the Cross. Christmas Eve.

Christmas represents the time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but the Cross...that is the reason He came to earth in the first place.

He lived, so He could die.

Those words. They seem to mean things in a different way today.

As an adult, you lose a parent and that is really tough, especially if you remained in close relationships as you transition from child to teen to college student to adult.  It is never easy.  My dad lived to the ripe old age of 90. He was ready to go - oh. so. ready.   I stayed aggravated with him a lot because I though that he needed to keep living until he died, where he kind of sat around and waited.

I wonder now if he was teaching me that there were things to learn during the wait.

Roger really did live until he died. He was not passive in any way. He served someone, and often many, every day of his life.

I purchased these stones back in the summer and the installation took place in the fall.  We have this 'family stone' over in the Magic Kingdom, but that is where we had fun, not where we centered our lives. I though it a grand idea to have a few memorial stones located where life was most important to us. Yes, they are located at our church, but even more than that, they are located at the foot of the Cross.

That 200 foot Cross, right off of 408. Illuminated at night - beginning as dusk arrives and shining through the night with it's soft, comforting light. I loved seeing it on my drive home from Oviedo.

No matter what kind of day I might have had, it reminded me to be sure to end the day thanking God for opportunities, challenges and for the people whose paths crossed mine.

After the Christmas Eve service, we took a family walk over to the Cross. It was special to have a time to be very thankful for the life that God gave us in Roger.  He was an amazing friend, a mentor to many, he could coach anyone through about any situation if they wanted to be coached and challenged. We had a wonderful 42 years together.  We laughed and played and worked together for things that were meaningful. Our girls are probably the most amazing blessing that God ever sent our way. And the family grew and the blessings grew.

And that does not mean that life was not without its challenges, but without challenges - and God by your side to get you through them - how in the world do you ever appreciate the really wonderful times and the blessings?

Roger's Lesson: Few things on this side of eternity are worth the worry and stress.  Keep your eye on the prize. Eternity is longer, so be sure you invest your time well and decide early where you want to spend eternity. 

Yes, early.
Because as we all know, just because a parent lived to be 90, it does not mean that you will.
Don't put off until tomorrow the decisions you should make today.

Thanks Sweetie for the reminders that are everywhere.

Perfection

You can't add darkness to darkness to create light.
You can't add evil to evil to find good.

I love candlelight services. I love it when all of the lights go out and we sit in total silence and total darkness.

I like to sit and contemplate what that gigantic void must have been like before God changed it all.

Stillness, darkness, you can't see a thing. If no one is near you, you almost can't even feel a thing.

I find myself wondering if this is what death is like. Do you have a sense of something going on around you but other senses can't be engaged?  For a believer, it does not seem so scary, but what about for an unbeliever?  Is nothingness ok?  Do you just lie there like the Egyptians, with certain items to help you hope to get to the 'other side' - not really knowing what is out there?  Do you just drift away into dust?

I love it more when that first candle is lit in the darkness. That tiny little flame can allow you see the image of heads, bodies, people around you in the vast room. One TINY flame can do that.  All that darkness and ONE TINY FLAME....one bit of light.

I don't even need that passing of the flame where the whole room is eventually illuminated for that flame to get to my very soul.  One. Tiny. Flame.  One light in the darkness. Just one.

It is the most amazing visual object lesson that so clearly explains what the life of Jesus Christ did in the midst of a world filled with darkness, searching, despair, loneliness, pain, suffering.  The only example in all of history of a truly perfect life. Not just a good one. Not just an admirable one. A perfect one.

That elusive dream. The dream that I would or could be perfect.

I put that quest for perfectionism down almost 20 years ago. It was one of those times in life where God allowed me to be down for a while so I could be truly still and look up.

I came to realize that the quest for perfection, while noble, was not only exhausting, but unnecessary.   I came to realize that what He cared about was who I WAS and my relationship with Him - and not what I DID, however perfect, and even if it was all FOR Him.

I learned to back off. I learned that doing all things well was acceptable and perfect enough, as long as I had a strong and valued relationship WITH Christ.

Yes, I love that darkness, because it takes me back to what is really important.  Relationship.

I love the way that tiny light illuminates the faces of those near to the light. It softens everything. It brings calmness.  That is a lesson too.  Stay near the light. The light of Christ - learning of His life, having a relationship with Him, does something to the person called YOU.  It makes you more like Him in many, but not all ways.  We are not meant to be perfect, just to desire to be like the most perfect One.

Roger's Lesson:   I think you've got it, girl!  There in the flicker of a candle is the message of Christmas.  It is all about the relationship.

And every day, I continue - and I hope to have the time on this side of Heaven to get as close to the mark of my Maker, as is humanly possible....

......without stressing over perfection.

Kielbalsa

At first glance, this could be Kristin. This could be 1983.  It isn't.

One of the really fun parts of being a grandparent is that almost constant deja'vu feeling that you get every time you watch a grandchild run and play. Or sit quietly. Or enjoy holidays.

Sometimes you just have to do a double take and look in a mirror.
That is when you see a much older face and you realize that you are watching your grandchild, and not your child.

Time flies. It passes so quickly.  The older we get, it somehow seems to fly by even faster.

I am always fascinated with this western view of time. It is kind of a theme that comes back to me time and again, as if it is something I am determined to figure out.

Lately, I've come to think that it is a waste of time, pondering this stuff. Time is elusive.

I've wanted to 'freeze-frame' so many things this past Christmas. I want them to remain like living snapshots in my mind. I want to hold onto that warmth of family, the laughter, the pure joy of just enjoying being in the presence of one another.

Roger's family is a lot of fun. I don't know why I said "Roger's" because from the day I met them, I kind of owned them too. They are a lot like my family, full of cousins. The difference is that this group pretty much grew up in the same home town and it is almost like they all lived in the same house. They are crazy fun!

It is a lot like that with my GA cousins....the ones that grew up together, near one another. It is like time never stops with them. And in the few times I ever get to visit, it is much like that with me. I feel like we can just pick up where we just left off....and yet it might have been 30 years.

Is this unique to all families? I wonder.

I had this moment in time, after Roger departed, where I was so sad thinking that this part of our lives might just drift away. Roger's family.  Yet, oh, so thankfully, it didn't.  Christmas was special in an extra special way.

We definitely missed Roger's laughter and I so loved the cousins telling their funny Roger stories.  He made everyone laugh, that's for sure.  I did not even meet Roger until he was almost 30, but I bet he was a real mess....well, mess in a fun way.....in those younger days.

I'm quite confident that I met the more mature version of Roger! Yet, he still had a lot of fun left in him! I enjoyed 42 years worth!

No, we didn't get to visit with the entire family. As with most families these days, they get scattered across the country. It is so hard to get everyone in one place at the same time. I am so thankful though for the times we have together.

I am so thankful that Jacob and Emily get to enjoy that fun, even though they are way younger than most of the cousins. It is so special the way that God puts families together.

I would wish for all people that they had loving families to embrace. I know it is not that way, and it is heartbreaking - but God could put it all together again, if allowed. Ah, the challenge.

Roger's Lesson:  Live and Laugh and Linger.  It's ok to be the last to leave when you are around people who live life to the fullest and for the right purposes. Fill your life with family and friends who choose that!

Yes, we have eternity to look forward to and when these Polish cousins are all gathered together again....I think it is going to take a pretty huge banquet hall!

I forgot to check the dinner table....I wonder if Kielbalsa was left over? If Roger had been present, I know there would not have been.

I do know that Jacob and Emily did their part to pick up where Ro-Ro left off though!

Quality Control

A week before Christmas, 2014.  The house smells amazing!    For anyone who is a choco-holic, this is certainly the place to be!  Emily would have had a licking frenzy! Girl. Loves. Chocolate!

Roger loved chocolate too, so it would have been quite the contest!  I can control myself.

Writing this in hindsight, I see how things were more than just a little different this year.

I did not bake with Emily and Jacob and much as in previous years. It was perhaps, because they were in school when my energy levels were high.

My urges to bake came at most unusual times. Too much day-napping. Too much midnight energy. Or not.


I made pounds and pounds of fudge, dozens of cookies, containers of cookie dough.
Most were packaged up and never left the dining table.

I just did not get it to the destination.  Just too tired.

Blow it off to emotional drain. Blow it off to getting older.  Blow it off to disorganization.

Disorganization? That is not me. That is never me!  Make a note.

Hopefully feelings were not hurt if those who regularly received "juci's Famous Fudge" did not receive this year. It was not intentional.

Roger's Lesson:  You have to interact with people and not just do stuff. You also have to give yourself a break. It is who you are and not what you do that actually means something.

How often did he say that? The relational person vs the task person. Shall I ever ever learn?

Hmm....but I can guarantee this - Roger Tome would not failed to have been my official officer of quality control! It was his most favorite off-shift job!

A Little Red - with Sparkles

The bench was lonely. I could not stand it.                                                 The town was all decked out and beautifully lit for Christmas.

Roger's bench has been empty every time I have driven by Allen's - for as long as I can remember.

That day, it was more than I could take. Roger loved Christmas, after all. He loved the decorations, the special treats, the children laughing. He loved it all.  Lonely and sad was never a part of his vocabulary.

He sat on this bench a lot. He sat on it every time he went out for a run. He sat on it one last time on February 10.  Actually, less than 15 minutes before he departed for Eternity.

He observed things around him, he waved to friends who passed by, he was at the ready to help others if needed. He kept an eye on the comings and goings in Windermere from his bench, or from his swing, or from his crazy little 'beater car." Always on the ready.

It could not look sad and lonley - not at Christmas time!  We fixed that!  Fresh greenery and bright red embellishments. And a love note, of course!

Yes - we are still sad - how can you not be when you lose someone you love, even when his presence is still all around you.

We miss him a lot a Christmas time.

But...we have to keep smiling, laughing, living.






The story was the same at First and Main.  This was on his regular run - well, the short run.  Last half, Allen's to the bridge and then home.  He made it to First Ave.

The little tree stood sad and alone. No embellishment, no reminder. The red ribbon was looking a little faded in the Florida sun - yes, even in December.

  

A little glitter and a little note was called for. Ah, how that makes everything better! 

Roger would have said this was nonsense - but a visual person just can't have it this way. 

His memory lingers. His love of Christmas - the entire season - lingers.  His laughter - I still hear it and hope it never ever fades. 

Roger's Lesson:  He would say that life goes on and it is great to have wonderful memories, but don't forget to make new ones for a new time.    In other words, don't stay stuck in the past. 

He never stayed stuck in the past. And I can only imagine that this is quite possibly his best Christmas ever.  I can sit and imagine him missing us - but in reality, I know that He is so absolutely involved in worshiping at the feet of Jesus, that time has no meaning and he is in the best place for all of eternity.  It is really hard to avoid longing to be there...now.  

But these two gifts from God are in the here and now, and Roger is right - make memories for every day of your earthly walk, because someone will need them later. 

Ro-Ro .....you were just the greatest! 

Cardinal Surprise!

 Millennia, special for me.  Ok, maybe not the mall itself, but a trip to the windows at Anthropologie are always a special treat for me.

I love the creative windows, but I love the designer more.

Roger tried to take me out to Millennia once a month to see if the windows had changed. Sometimes it grew to once a quarter.

It helped that there was a Cheesecake Factory and a Brio just steps away.
I always tried to see that he got to eat before I got to browse. Ah - just like a baby, it kept him quite content - and patient!  Thank goodness he loved the seating and the atmosphere at this particular mall.  And he would make trips to the car with lots of bags and boxes, when needed.
And he let me enjoy that creative place called Anthropologies for as long as I liked.

I loved it when Karin took me to the mall this year, braving all of that traffic. She is so like her daddy, even with the certain self imposed boundaries.  Stuff had to not overflow the bag and there would be no intermediate trips to the car and back.

But she carried the bag! She waited patiently, too!


I wonder if I fed her?  I did teach her the 'back way' so she could navigate without the horrible traffic!  Roger always knew the back ways to everything!

Roger's Lesson:  Navigating the traffic to get to the mall is just a part of what you do at Christmas. He would tell the girls not to forget to give mama her creative breaks - because it keeps her calm.  And calm makes for a more merry Christmas - and this is good! When Jacob can drive, he can take over, but must remember to tote the packages. It's what you do for the ladies. 

Roger was all about seeing a need and assisting where he could. I hope that I never took that for granted. I was a pretty fortunate girl.

I was blessed too, because he took me to see my favorite windows. It is no random thing that these windows are my favorites, and the only ones I make the trip to see.

When there is someone special in your life, you want to keep up, and even in small ways, encourage.

I think that it is no accident that God knew that there was one young girl, one very special talent, one very creative store, and some very empty windows that needed a very special message.   Those red cardinals just made me forget all of the craziness of getting to the mall.  Those red cardinals made me think - Roger is not all that far away. His memory is still strong as is our bond.  It transcends time and space and it will last for all of eternity.

You didn't even know it, but thank you for a very special Christmas gift, Liz!

Embellish but Keep the Focus!

The organizational set up did not happen until around December 15, but it was still a while before Christmas.

I've heard it said on more than one occasion that God allows you opportunities and experiences along life's highway that will prepare you for other things later.

I guess it is much like learning to read or to do math.

For me, it is called "embellishment."

Way back in the day, I spent my first Christmas at the downtown Orlando Sear store doing gift wrap. Well, among other things, but I recall doing a lot of gift wrap.  That was back in the day where you could buy something in a department store and they would wrap your gift all pretty for free or for a very nominal price.  Wow - things were so simple back then - there was none of this stuff to store!

Today we have Hobby Lobby. This place comes stocked with the most wonderful papers, ribbons, and other embellishments. I love it!

We have this system. I don't really like to wrap, but Karin does, so I taught her how to wrap a proper box - complete with firmly creased corners and edges, and double stick tape!  Station one - she wraps.   Actually, she is station two.   Kristin is station one. She purchases.  That involves ordering online and having things delivered to her doorstep.

I know - untold amounts of recycling!

Kristin has this spreadsheet system that we sometimes understand and sometimes find a mystery.  It is like little elves sneaking around. Lots of fun, lots to trip over in the days before Christmas Day.

Karin wraps, then sends nicely sticky-note adorned packages to my house - Station three.  I embellish. Sometimes it gets totally over the top and out of hand.

We also color code our packages. This way we only have to write TO EMILY - the package color tells who it is from. Oh so efficient!

Station four is the tree - wherever it might be.

The process was more efficient this year than it has been in years past, but I am absolutely certain that Roger would have been shaking his head and saying that he would rather have dinner than wonderfully wrapped and embellished packages.

Roger's Lesson:  The tree is up, the gifts have been purchased, they are wrapped and embellished just like you desire.  Now, please, oh please...remember to feed me! Food is necessary for life!  Food for the should is even more necessary, so after dinner, let's take a look at JLTV! 

Oh Roger! We won't forget the reason for Christmas. This year our white and crystal tree filled with angels will be key to the memories of the goodness of God to us in this past year.  Of course we would prefer that you be here with us, but in many ways, your presence will forever be here.

We believe that God's ways are perfect, even though we can't see that clearly at the moment.  I think we will always enjoy doing the things you did, celebrating like you celebrated - and looking forward to that glorious day when we will all be together again.

Christmas might not be the same in some ways, but Christmas will always be about Jesus and for that, we are forever grateful.

Penny Stuff

 To be sure, there is still a bit of apprehension whenever I head back to the Magic Kingdom with the family. It may always be that way. I hope not.

I never fail to have a good time with the family though, so our little trek out to the MK once again turned out to be quite fun.

We enjoyed a few rides and the kids climbed that big tree with the tree house. We enjoyed Pirates and even turned the corner while the parade was going on, and found a practically empty Pecos Bill cafe.  Wow - that was one of the places we discovered with Roger around his birthday.  So, that was a little interesting with the memories and all.

It is always an interesting thing the way we are apprehensive, then sad, and then end up laughing.  I know he would want it no other way.

We were in line for ordering, placed the order and moved forward, then Jim asked me if I realized what I had stepped over.  He bent over and picked up a shiny shield penny.

Oh, the little things. It brought a big smile and made us stop and say 'thanks' - for that little shield penny is what we call 'a sign' that God is in control, and Roger is fully alive - and that we are doing a satisfactory, if not good, job of continuing to "live."

Yes, Roger loved the Magic Kingdom and I hope we always manage to keep our passes so we can pop in and out at a moment's notice. I'm pretty thankful for that tradition that he started years ago - and I'll always remember our first date - the first of many - out in the park.

Roger's Lesson:  "And I repeat, don't give up the things we always loved doing together."

I know that is enough said. There is not a time we are out there that we don't re-live wonderful memories. I am happy to say "as it should be."  I hope other families can say the same about time spent with their loved ones, and if it is not so fun, that they will work to change that.

People are so much better than stuff.

MK Shield Penny!