Christmas Cheer

The anger has passed. It went away and now I'm tired. Not only because I got up at five-twenty this morning but because I carried around that big old box of mad all day and I didn't need to and I knew it and I did because I'm a stubborn old mule, but I've let it go.
Mostly.
And I've thought about it a whole lot and I hope I've learned something.
I doubt I have, but I hope I have.

The whole family except for Jessie and Vergil (whom we miss so much we can barely talk about it) went to the assisted living place where Mother lives for the holiday dinner this evening and it was really very, very nice and we had a good time. I'm not kidding you. The food was good, there was entertainment which ranged from professional local jazz musicians to three of the employees singing three part harmony with one of the resident's very young granddaughters doing the hula. Also a woman singing at the piano and after about half a song, my mother turned to May and said, "I've heard better."
Haha!



Santa was there. I have known that particular Santa for approximately thirty years. He is a kind, good man and tried to charm Owen into sitting on his lap but Owen was shy. He sat on his mama's lap, though, and let Santa talk to him.

We all sat at a big round table and Owen behaved himself pretty admirably. He ate his salad, some of his steak and his bread. He had a bite of the pie (which was really very good) and spit it out. The kid just doesn't care about sugar very much. He did have a cup of coffee (decaf from his mama's cup with about four creamers and some sugar) and I think that was his favorite part of the dinner. Except for the bread. He really liked the bread.


He also liked all of us taking turns to go outside with him to play, especially Aunt May.
And I think my mother had a good time. I tell you what- that place she lives is just beyond belief at how lovely it is, how sweet the employees are, how every detail is taken care of, inside the buildings and all around them too. The grounds are like a park. There are libraries and reference and reading rooms and lectures and a gym and a pool and activities around the clock. You just sort of want to sit down and start working on a jigsaw puzzle. You know?

After the supper we went up to Mother's room to see her decorations and her room is just as cozy as can be. She had her electric candles in the windows and she showed me the garden porch again. She is so proud to take care of the ferns, to help Miss Mabel , to haul the water in the little red wagon which sits in the hallway just for that purpose. She's so funny though. She was talking about Miss Mabel who will be 102 soon and said, "She just can't live much longer," which I thought was pretty hysterical. I mean, Miss Mabel looks fine to me. And anyone who can keep a beautiful little garden like that going has got to be at least a few miles from death's door.

So it was a good evening. I guess that was my Christmas celebration and it was enough for me. We sang carols (which horrified Owen and if we had started dancing, he probably would have died on the spot) and we drank alcohol-free champagne. Well, some of us did. Lily appreciated that. In fact, I believe Lily would move into that place in a heartbeat, especially after she saw the coffee shop which leaves Starbucks in the dust.

A woman took a picture for us but as you can see, May was moving and Owen was screaming. He did NOT want to pose tonight.

Well, hell. That's how we look except May's beautiful face is usually more defined.

And I took a shot of Lily and Jason and Owen as we were leaving.

I have so much to be thankful for.
I am humbled sometimes.

I am amazed.

Well. Long day. Time for bed.

No Owen tomorrow. Maybe I'll go to town and see if someone can fix up my hair.

I don't suppose you can get emergency liposuction and face lifts, can you? Sigh. Not that I would, of course, but it's amusing to think about it.

Sleep well, y'all.

Love...Ms. Moon