Christmas Day is nearly over, but it's the first chance I've had to sit quietly in front of the fire, alone with my thoughts and able to post something. Thank you to those of you who made comments lately, especially those who described vivid memories of Mom.
Dad arrived in Pittsburgh on the 23rd and stayed with Grant and Deborah through Christmas Eve. After our respective church services we all met at Grant and Deborah's for fondue, sushi, and shrimp. A particularly poignant part of the evening was gathering around Miles as he listened to the recorded story "Twas the Night Before Christmas" that Mom had read to him in time for Christmas last year. This morning Dad, John, and I woke up at our house, drank coffee and ate cinnamon rolls, then opened stockings. Grant's family joined us later in the day along with Mom's dad, Scott. Before we opened presents as a family Dad led us in a reflection for Mom where we lit candles and read sayings about keeping loved ones' memories alive. Miles and Claire laughed and threw wrapping paper everywhere as they opened gifts, and we all enjoyed sharing in their delight. Mom would have been giddy with excitement and loved that we were all together. After a dinner of pork tenderloin and delicious side dishes we watched home movies until the kids got sleepy. We were blessed with a day of togetherness.
Last Christmas, Mom insisted that it was her final celebration of the holiday she loved so much. She had a sense, I'm sure, of her body slowly accepting defeat. Her spirit, however, couldn't be defeated, and it was that spirit that we celebrated around the dinner table and as we sat by the crackling fire.
I hope that today each of you spent time with those you love and treated that time like a treasured gift. And though it might not be sound theology, I hope that Mom saw Miles smile and Claire run toward the tree and all of us gather around to hold each other as close as we could.
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Nadine, thank you for continuing to post and keep us updated about how your family is doing -- today about Christmas. As always, there's much I'd like to say, but it's late, so I want to share something I heard recently on a Christian radio station. There are many descriptions that would be accurate about Jesus -- Prince of Power, Prince of Love, etc. And yet the Lord chooses to call Him Prince of Peace. May all of you feel that peace tonight, your bittersweet first Christmas without Deb on this broken earth. We can't imagine the glorious eternal praisefest she's part of, but it has to be even better than singing the Hallelujah Chorus 24/7.
ReplyDeleteWith love & prayers,
B.J.
Nadine, (oops -- posted in wrong place first time . . .)
ReplyDeleteI echo the comments of friends who are grateful to you for continuing to post. Thank you so much! It is a gift to me to still feel connected, though 3000 miles away. I missed her Christmas card -- always one of the first to arrive -- (how DID she find time to do those??? :) -- and a phone call where she would describe the snow outside -- and I would describe the 75 degree SoCal day while longing for a taste of "genuine winter".
Your description of your Christmas day together was vivid -- easy to picture, and easy to feel the gaping hole.
Thanks so much for continuing to keep us connected to this truly amazing woman - and her wonderful family -- we love and miss so much.
Love,
Jeanie
Nadine,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your continued post. I had your family on my mind all day. What a gift you have reading your post makes me feel so connected to your family. I too also loved getting your Mom's Christmas letter and pictures. Watching how you and Grant changed year to year, It was one of the card we got that I look foward to each year.
I know from loosing my Mom when I was 25 and just starting with a young familly, I was blessed to have two older sister step in and guide me. I don't know what I would have ever done had they not been there to step in and "mother me". God had a plan when he made me a "change of life baby."
We will continue to keep your family in our prayers and help you to get through the years firsts, and daily life. What a gift to have your Mom's voice recorded, I would love to hear my mom just one more time.
Wishing you the best for the New Year, and many blessing to come your familys way.
Much Love,
Cricket and David Yaggi
Nadine, My name is Eliana and I don´t know if you remember me but I was an exchange student and stayed at your family´s house in 1986.I´m from Brazil and I just found out about your mom´s passing away today. I ´d like to keep in touch with you and your Dad again. Do you have a facebook profile? Mine is Eliana martins if you wish to look for me. My email address is: eliana.angelo17@yahoo.com.br. I´m looking forward to hearing from you. Love! Eliana
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