CHRISTMAS

Christmas is almost here and for our family it will be so different this year and the years to come.  There are many things that I will miss this year.  While I am sad about this, I rejoice that dad is celebrating his happiest Christmas ever with Christ face to face!  I wanted to share some of the things that I will miss the most this year, but I want to share them with gratitude for the memories left to us rather than in sorrow.

As Chad (I believe) posted earlier, dad liked to sing.  I will miss his rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Stinkin' Christmas" (see Chad's previous post for lyrics), Let It Snow, and his most favorite song ever.....Let It Be Christmas by Alan Jackson.  He would literally play this song on repeat.  I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say this song would be stuck in all of our heads each Christmas.

Let It Be Christmas by Alan Jackson

 

 

I will miss my last minute phone call.  Each year, about 2 days before Christmas, dad would call and say, "What did you get mom for Christmas?"  He would then shoot down every idea I gave him for her as "she won't like that" or "that's not good enough".  When we finally came up with something, he would make sure to let me know to "get the best one".  I guess he knows I like to look for a good deal and he prefers quality!  We never did find the "perfect" robe for mom though.

 

 

I will miss his quiet presence at the Christmas parties.  He somehow always managed to find a good corner to sit in.  He never wanted to be the center of attention, but you couldn't help but feel his presence.  Once the grand kids started arriving, he would always be holding one of them in his arms.  I believe there were two reasons for this.  1) He REALLY loved holding his grand kids and 2) They were a REALLY good way to avoid having to participate in any sort of holiday games!

 



Holding Jordyn at the Kleinheksel party

 

I will miss the infamous pictures of dad posing with his present.  His face hidden behind the present as he holds it up.  He was an expert at avoiding a picture.  I will miss him complaining about the yearly family picture and how long it takes us all to get situated.  Did I mention, he loves pictures?

 

More than anything though, I am going to miss giving him his traditional present of Chocolate Covered Cherries.  I couldn't go a Christmas without giving him these.  They were his favorite and mine.  I think I ate the top layer of his present most years and left the bottom for him.  Never thought walking past Chocolate Covered Cherries in a store would bring tears to my eyes.

 

 

Christmas 2011 video:

 

 

 

Thanks for the special memories!

 

 

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:1-3