CHRISTMAS 2023

Smitty was resistant to sending Christmas greetings this year. My response was "How will our friends know that we are still alive?!"

We often sit and talk about how we never considered living 93 years. We couldn't even imagine what it would be like - probably shriveled up and living in an "old folks home." And here we are, feeling very blessed and loved. 

AS WE PONDER THIS - HERE ARE THOUGHTS THAT COME TO MIND:

The bliss of being married for 71 years to someone you love and the joy of being a team all of those years.

Living near to Joy who is here in minutes when called. Having children who love you unconditionally and look out for you, especially a daughter who oversees your finances and insurance, and one who drives up at a moments notice from Dallas if she thinks we need her. Reaping the benefits of a son-in-law that volunteers to detail and wax your car - and golf cart! The joy of having family drop in just to visit or bring a treat.

Enjoying the births and activities of two Great Grandchildren nearby.

A grandson including us in a big media project - just because! Having grandchildren who take care of us when their parents are out of town. Having a granddaughter who is a nurse that becomes your advocate when you have to visit the hospital. A grandson who never forgets to call, no matter how small the occasion. Being invited to dinner by Dan when Joy is out of town and sending us home with the leftovers.

Two 16 year old cats who give us unconditional love, especially after I clean their litter box.

Living in our own little house with my "craft cave" and having a kitchen where I can prepare a meal if we don't feel like going over to the dining room. Learning that peanut butter on crackers is as good as a full course meal if you are hungry and in a hurry. It's fun to buy a whole watermelon when it means we can share it with our neighbors.

We are especially thankful for our little rose garden. Having our own spot of earth to cultivate is good exercise and soothes the soul. Flowers are God's gift to us to enjoy and share. Going to the nursery for plants is a special experience, especially when your son-in-law takes you. Sitting on our lovely porch, enjoying our roses, and watching our blue birds raise three families this year was a special treat. Enjoying the sunshine which we take for granted until a gloomy, dark day in December makes us miss it.

Being blessed with a doctor who makes house calls when you think you have hives and it turns out to be shingles!! Discovering that 21 days together in one room for rehab isn't a bad experience, especially when Joy brings us banana splits! Being a caregiver for someone you love can be very fulfilling. Having a daughter that cleans out my fridge and fills it full of tasty food when we finally "break out" of rehab. Discovering that Home Health Care is a great payback for all the money we put into Medicare all those years. Learning that when you have a good physical therapist and do the exercises, you can overcome most pain.

At this age we realize that family and friends - those we have know for years, and brand new ones - mean everything.

We have learned to be thankful for the small things. Sometimes they are the best.