I cannot remember a single Christmas where I actually hoped I would get a certain item. Never. And, I suppose that is why. See, originally there were 5 of us kids. I learned early what Christmas is really all about, and I learned to be thankful for what I have that mattered most - family and friends, to love and share, and to just skip all the preliminaries and "PASS ME THE DUMPLINGS PUH-LEASE!!"
I told my older brother and my older cousin there was no such thing as Santa Claus when I was 5-years-old. I got my butt spanked good for doing that. I used to threaten to throw myself over the bank and onto the highway if they didn't do whatever I wanted them to do. Then one day, one of my aunts told them to call my bluff. The gig was over. Well, that was just last year, so yanno...............(just kidding, it was a long, long time ago really.)
My grandfather Boles gave me a pocketwatch when I was 12. I still have it. He was aboard the U.S.S. Hopewell when we dropped the bombs on Japan to end World War Two. I miss my dad. I wish he was here so I could tell him I love him. I miss my brother and wish he was here, too. But, yanno God decided to let me have three beautiful children to take care of for him; to love and cherish, and adore them with everything that is in me. And, that is my task. This holiday season they will probably not see it, but they will be lighting up my eyes and warming my heart as I sit and watch them having fun. It always makes me cry and you know, it never fails to take me back to those days when I sat there staring at that bowl of dumplings. I am proud I have those memories, and the kids, well.....thats all the gift I will ever want and need, except for the greatest gift of all, my salvation.
That's probably one of the best "Speck" pictures in existence!
ReplyDeleteI believe dumplings should be their own food group because you can have them a million ways! Two of my favorites are Tomato Dumplings and Blackberry Dumplings, yum!
You should post a pic of that beautiful pocket watch.