A Christmas Memories-Kindness in a Bitter Sweet Moment

 

Photo by Kindpng

I don't know know if this qualifies as a good Christmas memory or not.

It was the first Christmas after Mama and Daddy separated.  I had just turned 17.  We knew Christmas would be very different that year.  

As we were getting ready to go to my aunt and uncle's house, someone knocked on the door. No one was there, but there were 4 big garbage bags and 3 smaller bags.

There was a tag on each that sack that said: "From Santa".

We never found out who the "Santa" was. (I have my suspicions, but will probably never know).

The strangest thing was that Mama's gift was a "Mother's Ring". Jimmy, Luke, and I had wanted to get her one for Christmas, but couldn't afford it.

NO ONE knew this except Daddy, but I don't think he was financially able to accomplish that.

We had other blessings that year.

A lady from our church worked as a waitress and her restaurant adopted us.  They had a lovely meal for us and gifts too.   

I think we had people leave money in our mailbox, too.

Christmas is such a beautiful holiday that gives us so many opportunities to show GOD's love to others.  Even if it's just a smile and a "Merry Christmas".

About Me Tuesday: My Daddy

 

Yesterday, Oct 24,2022, would have been my Daddy's 77th birthday.

I was a Daddy's girl (except when my Mama was around 🤣!)

He was my first encourager.  My parents were told to leave me at the hospital and forget about me.  He said "Not my daughter."

He helped me overcome all the limitations that were placed on me.

When I started to walk, I was a little wobbly, just a little bit.

My Daddy was a big man - he was 6'7.  All my friends thought he was a giant.

He would help me walk; when I stumbled, he always caught me; usually before I fell.

Walking with him always made me feel safe

One of my favorite things to do with my Daddy was to debate him: about religion, politics, and current events.  We could talk for hours.

He told me I could do ANYTHING!!!

As I became a teenager, my relationship with my Daddy got rocky.  There are things we both struggled to understand about each other.

He was so proud the day I graduated from college, got married, and had the kids.

I always knew he loved me.

This picture was taken 4 days before he died.

That was the last time I ever saw my Daddy.  

Hard to believe he's been gone 17 years ago.  

I miss and love him every day.

A LEGEND OF THE NORMANS - THE SOUND OF PAPA'S LAUGH

 

 

    On Christmas I guess I was 11 or 12, which would have made big brother, Jimbo, 14 or 15.  Either him or one of the other boys had gotten a BB GUN for Christmas,  This was a prized gift in our house.  So, Jimbo and my Papa go out to a field, which  also served as grave yard for broken down old cars.  (Don't most people have car grave yards in their back yard???)

Anyway, somehow Papa shot through a car window.  He told Jimbo told hold the BB GUN.  Jimbo said no and started running towards the house because he knew he'd be in a heap of trouble if our daddy thought he had shot through the window.

Well, my Papa started laughing.  Now you have to know, my Papa was maybe 5" standing on his tippy toes!  So, when he laughed it was larger than life.  It was a laugh that was contagious.  The kind of laugh that lasted a good 5 minutes.  The kind that every time you think of it throughout the day, you laugh just as hard as you did when it first happened.

I really miss that laugh!

I'm sure Jimbo will correct me where I am wrong, but for now it's a LEGEND OF THE NORMANS!